HappinessWritten by Laurent Grenier
What is happiness? If we mean by it a state of fulfillment, when everything is going our way, in terms of results as well as efforts (which requires a providential combination of pluck and luck), then it cannot simply be willed; it is partly, if not largely, a gift of fate.Having said this, even this sort of happiness is a product of positive thinking and positive action, with good fortune lending a helping hand. In short, it is a product of will in relatively favorable circumstances. But isn't it peculiar to imply that happiness can be of one sort or another? Are there not simply happiness and unhappiness? I think not. The sort of happiness that sage talks about is compatible with misfortune. It is preeminently a doing from within – while without, only prerequisite for it is that sage be alive and capable of thought. It is a feeling of serenity, of being at peace with his situation and his conscience, as a well-adjusted and fully committed servant of life, of humanity, of God as he sees them. However conscious he is of subjectiveness – i.e., individual limitations and hence imperfection – of his view, he does live by it with utmost faithfulness, if also with a willingness to reevaluate it critically when he catches himself out in a misstep. His wisdom is forever a work in progress; it is always laced with some form of foolishness, which leaves him open to ridicule. Humility and compassion, plus humor are therefore qualities that he cultivates. He mocks and forgives himself, and above all strives to improve. He shows no complacency, but an acceptance of his humanness that he is intent on bringing to highest possible degree of truth and nobility. And this delicate blend of resignation and struggle alone – in any situation, favorable or not – is indeed secret of his happiness, which admittedly is a dry manner of joy that fills mind rather than heart. It follows that this happiness leaves something to be desired: happiness in fullest sense of word (a state of fulfillment, when everything is going our way, in terms of results as well as efforts), which is a joy, ever so sweet, that fills both mind and heart. When sage experiences this supreme happiness, he rightly feels blessed, and knows how precarious it is. Furthermore, he accepts this precariousness, or fact that suffering and ultimately death loom ahead. Only battles are won in war of life that will inevitably – despite every valiant effort to prevail – end in defeat.
| | Personal Mind ControlWritten by Dale Power
Part of being a happy and effective person is being able to control your own thoughts and emotions. If you do not learn to control them, you will always be at mercy of those around you, and lets face it, many of people around you will gladly manipulate you to their own ends. Manipulation of emotions is so common in our lives that many people have become convinced that it is impossible to control their own emotions. This bit of disinformation has been fed to us over television and in movies subtly over years, as well as being reinforced by those around us. In a way it may be purposeful. After all, if you don’t know it is possible to control your thoughts and emotions, you will never really try, therefore you can be controlled. It makes sense in a dark and somewhat evil way. This is a false premise though. You can control your own mind and will be happier and more successful when you master your emotions and can control them at will. It simply takes a bit of effort and practice. How can you begin to control these things then? Here is a list of things to look into that will help get you started.*Turn off T.V. With it’s jump cuts and blatant emotional manipulation, this box is one of major sources of stress. It is difficult to learn to control yourself on a deep level when you keep getting distracted by bright colors and overly loud sounds. Okay, this is not so much a technique of control as it is a piece of advice that will make other methods more easily achievable. *Learn to meditate. Meditation is a fantastic tool. It will help you to calm your mind, which is a form of personal mind control right there, and will help you become more aware of your internal mental state. You have to be able to realize what is going on in your head before you can control it! *Smile more. Even if you don’t feel like it. Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins even in sad people. The trick? It is initial act of smiling that causes release. So for a big blast of endorphins, smile fifty times in rapid succession! Just don’t do it in public or people will think you’re a bit strange. *Practice direct mental control. You can control your thoughts. If a negative thought comes into your head, you can replace it by consistently dwelling on a good one. The key word here is consistency. If you give a half hearted effort, you will get poor results. If however you stay on top of things and keep replacing negative thought pattern you wish to get rid of with a better one, you will soon find that you have achieved control. This may seem a constant battle at first. Years of negative ideas won’t just disappear overnight. They will disappear though, if you take enough time to make it happen.
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