Total Thoughts (February 22) - Acting for Happiness and Happiness Alone

Total Thoughts (February 22, 2009):

Acting for Happiness and Happiness Alone

• By continuing our practice of being aware of our thoughts and happiness we will be able to grow and progress in our discovery of the Self - on this journey we will one day learn that the only source of happiness is our own Self
• Rather than focusing on expectations of others (which are not relevant), we should turn our attention to our own state of mind (which is most relevant)
• We should not waste our time and energy being unhappy - instead we should focus on what makes us happy and remind ourselves of this every time we recognize we are on the path to unhappiness
  
• We should always question why we do things that make us unhappy
• In every difficult situation we should understand that we can either change our mind (internal) or change our environment (external) - the inner is within our grasp and the outer is not so our only real solution is to change our minds
• We should reflect on action vs. inaction - gaining a greater understanding of why we choose to act or not act will give us a greater understanding of ourselves
• We should consider what it means to be 'complete' - is this achievable 
  
• We should evaluate whether our desires are needs or wants - we need very very little to live peacefully (i.e. Maslow's Theory) yet we are striving for so much (i.e. "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not one man's greed." --- Mahatma Gandhi)
• Based on the philosophy of materialism we should strive to fulfill our desires and based on the philosophy of peace we should strive to reduce our desires - the former focuses on the effects and the latter on the cause so which will be more effective to curing the disease of desire
• Our discussions help us reduce the diseases of the mind - our discussions also help to make the mind and ego tangible so we can eventually transcend both
  

Foundation for our upcoming discussion:  How our Moods (Gunas) Affect Us

Attached is a poster for a Spiritual Retreat for young adults (how cool is that!) taking place in Chicago this summer.  These Camps are a potent medium to learn about life, cultivate inspiration, make friends and have a blast.  Please seriously consider joining me for this and please send this poster to all of your family and friends who would benefit and appreciate such an experience.

  

See you all on Sunday.

  

' He who is supremely devoted to God, and to his Guru as to his God, to such a mahatma, all that is imparted becomes effulgent. ' --- from Svetasvatara Upanishad

  

Inspire-Love-Peace