Since many people are finding life quite stressful these days, I thought I would share this note that I wrote to Sabir:
Hi Sabir,
It is good to hear from you again. When you ask a question about the materialistic world and how people are distracted and worried about their daily problems and their mind, it shows that you have a good sense of where happiness comes from.
Achievements do not guarantee happiness
This is the Self calling you back to the source. What people achieve in the world will only last for a short period of time. Not only that, their achievements cannot guarantee their happiness. That's because achievement cannot provide what it doesn't have. Happiness comes from the inside, the place where you actually experience it, not from what you achieve.
Stress comes when you are afraid of failing. Now you can't always control if you succeed or fail, but you can always abide in the peace and happiness that's at your core.
Where do you experience happiness
So when you feel happy and at peace, meditate on where you actually experience this happiness. Does it come from the world and what you see, or does it come from what you are?
Peace is closer than a state of mind
And when you feel tense and stressed out know that peace is not far away. You can find this peace faster than you can change your mind. That's because peace is not a state of mind. You are not trying to get your mind just right. That's an endless task. Awareness is the source of this peace. The very fact that you are Aware of the stress means that you are free of it, not caught in its grip.
So meditate like this: When you are happy and at peace, note where you actually experience this happiness and peace. And when you are stressed out, notice that you are Awareness and not a state of mind. Stand here and see if stress can really bother you.
The nice thing about this meditation is that you can do it all of the time, whether sitting, standing, walking or lying down. It does not require any particular posture. Still spend some time meditating on what's really important.
Find lasting peace right in this lifetime
Remember, life is short and death comes sooner than you think. So find the state that is unaffected by the changes in your body and mind. It is your real identity. Finding this place, you will find a freedom that lasts forever, right in this lifetime.
If you find that there is a specific set of thoughts or events that seem to trigger your stress tell me. Perhaps I can help you to untangle yourself from that too.
Question everything
Here
I always encourage questions. People take too much for granted about
the world, their body, mind, and their nature. Questioning encourages
you to take a fresh look. Looking afresh, once again life becomes fresh
and a real adventure. Without changing a thing, everyday experiences
become completely new. If you need help with your questions you can
write me at
michael@light-up-your-life.com.
Please join us
Every
Tuesday we hold a meeting here in our house in Los Gatos California.
All too often it is only my wife and I that attend. But we still have a
wonderful time. If you find yourself in this area and would like to
attend here is a link where you can find more information
www.light-up-your-life.com/talks.html
Other resources available to you
Another resource that we offer is the book, Making Your Wisdom Come
Alive, a step by step guide taking you from your everyday experience to the
highest wisdom and truth. To find out more, click on the link below:
To join our mailing list go to: http://www.light-up-your-life.com/join.html
Please tell you friends.
Although we don’t have an advertising budget, we hope that everyone who wants
to can find out about and wake up to this wisdom.
Michael Gluckman
