Stories from the Collective...

Look to the Eastern Spiritual Traditions...

by Fred Horrowitz
(USA)

My view on happiness is informed by the Eastern spiritual traditions, like Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Sufism. I'm also clear that all spiritual/religious systems share the same principles.

I like this Taoist quote as it applies to happiness...

It is only when you seek it that you lose it.
You cannot take hold of it, nor can you get rid of it;
While you can do neither, it goes on its own way.
You remain silent and it speaks; you speak and it is silent.

Seeking happiness leads to more seeking. It's like chasing a carrot at the end of a stick.

Happiness isn't about "doing." It's not a "getting to" phenomenon. It's a "coming from" phenomenon. It occurs in the domain of "being."

Ok. That sounds great! But what do I need to "do" to "be" happy. What's the recipe? Tell me how. This leads to more of the same as in the definition of insanity -- "doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result."

Well, one of the Buddha's "Noble Truths" is that man is ignorant. We don't know who we really are and relate to each other as "skin bags" – separate from one another. This is the source of suffering. And until we "get" who we truly are, true happiness isn't possible.

Dr. Fred
www.happiness-after-midlife.com