Comments on: Relating to Happiness http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/ Commentaries on Meditation, Zen, Buddhism, and Mindfulness Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:12:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Liara Covert http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-16801 Liara Covert Thu, 15 May 2008 00:25:19 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-16801 This quote reminds me of something the Dalai Lama would say. His face lights up because he is happiness incarnate. Its meaningful to separate the happiness concept from meanings imposed by the physical world. I would make an analogy with peeling an artichoke. When you remove all the leaves, you reach the core truth. It looks, feels and tastes different than anything on the outside. Like the artichoke heart, happiness is an unexpected, multisensual experience that defies expectations and assumptions. This quote reminds me of something the Dalai Lama would say. His face lights up because he is happiness incarnate. Its meaningful to separate the happiness concept from meanings imposed by the physical world. I would make an analogy with peeling an artichoke. When you remove all the leaves, you reach the core truth. It looks, feels and tastes different than anything on the outside. Like the artichoke heart, happiness is an unexpected, multisensual experience that defies expectations and assumptions.

]]> By: Terry http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-15041 Terry Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:52:41 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-15041 Wade I would like to write you privately. How can I reach you? Wade I would like to write you privately. How can I reach you?

]]> By: Terry http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-15039 Terry Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:43:24 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-15039 Wouldn't sadness fall under insecurities? And happiness/love go hand in hand, which is our natural state of being. The mind may get concerned about being disarmed and letting go of all its concepts and scripts. It might say, I may not get what I want. And I say, you're dammed lucky if you don't get what you want! After experiencing lifetimes of a variety of religions. And awoke to the mystery of our being. I've chosen not to follow anyone. My role in the present moment as far as identification goes has snapped and the mystery realizes, "Oh, this is what I am! I thought I was the one over there with that agenda. I thought I was the actor of roles. I thought I was the roles. None of that is true. When the role called "I am a human being" ends, that is death. It's a lot easier if you let that role die before the body dies, and let it be put to rest now. This is awakening to being what we are eternally and have true life. Last week, I was confronted by a friend who is mormon. And, he asked if I believed in Satan? lol I told him no. And that this conversation has ended. Thank you. My family has disowned me. So I am experiencing aloneness. And to say the least, I am grateful. Because, I'm not sure how to relate to them at this time. I've discovered that this mystery has its own movement, which I suppose is what real surrender is.....following that movement. This is the real meaning of "Thy will be done." Sorry for ranting. What a hideous dream this has been..thinking those things were needed for me to be happy. Someday, hopefully we'll all throw in the towel and say how silly and immature we've acted. Love & Peace Wouldn’t sadness fall under insecurities? And happiness/love go hand in hand, which is our natural state of being.
The mind may get concerned about being disarmed and letting go of all its concepts and scripts. It might say, I may not get what I want. And I say, you’re dammed lucky if you don’t get what you want!
After experiencing lifetimes of a variety of religions. And awoke to the mystery of our being. I’ve chosen not to follow anyone. My role in the present moment as far as identification goes has snapped and the mystery realizes, “Oh, this is what I am! I thought I was the one over there with that agenda. I thought I was the actor of roles. I thought I was the roles. None of that is true. When the role called “I am a human being” ends, that is death. It’s a lot easier if you let that role die before the body dies, and let it be put to rest now. This is awakening to being what we are eternally and have true life.
Last week, I was confronted by a friend who is mormon. And, he asked if I believed in Satan? lol
I told him no. And that this conversation has ended. Thank you.
My family has disowned me. So I am experiencing aloneness. And to say the least, I am grateful. Because, I’m not sure how to relate to them at this time.
I’ve discovered that this mystery has its own movement, which I suppose is what real surrender is…..following that movement. This is the real meaning of “Thy will be done.”

Sorry for ranting. What a hideous dream this has been..thinking those things were needed for me to be happy.
Someday, hopefully we’ll all throw in the towel and say how silly and immature we’ve acted.

Love & Peace

]]> By: Jerry http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13760 Jerry Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:43:35 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13760 Wade, I think I see what you are saying. Many years ago, after prolonged meditation and self-examination, I stumbled into a most amazing state that cannot be defined with words. It was like being in a state of extreme peace, love for all that exists, bliss, unconditional acceptance, belief of indestructibility and much more. This is what I was thinking about when I posted my first comment. Happiness and sadness are opposite emotions in the world where most of us live. But, the word happiness does even come close to defining the existence of nirvana and states one goes through on the path to nirvana. Thanks for helping me to clarify this. Jerry Wade,

I think I see what you are saying. Many years ago, after prolonged meditation and self-examination, I stumbled into a most amazing state that cannot be defined with words. It was like being in a state of extreme peace, love for all that exists, bliss, unconditional acceptance, belief of indestructibility and much more. This is what I was thinking about when I posted my first comment. Happiness and sadness are opposite emotions in the world where most of us live. But, the word happiness does even come close to defining the existence of nirvana and states one goes through on the path to nirvana. Thanks for helping me to clarify this.

Jerry

]]> By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13593 Wade Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:36:30 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13593 Hi Jerry, I would say true happiness is beyond dualities. Whilst your still attached to the labels of happiness and sadness, you can not truly be happy. You're dependant upon something. True happiness exists even when sad, as it's not dependant upon any state, and accepts things as they are. Where I'm going with this is that it's not a state of mind, it's beyond labels, conditions, and mind. From my understanding when there is no desires or attachment, we live nirvana. How this could be anything other than the feeling of letting go after holding your breath I don't understand. When there is nothing there is nothing. Putting a man-made concept on that place just doesn't seem to work for me. Looking at this from Buddhist Philosophy, we look at the 6 realms of existence, and at each end of the scale is heaven and hell. Beyond that, outside of that chains and wheels of existence is true happiness and nirvana. May all beings be happy. Gassho, Wade Hi Jerry,

I would say true happiness is beyond dualities. Whilst your still attached to the labels of happiness and sadness, you can not truly be happy. You’re dependant upon something. True happiness exists even when sad, as it’s not dependant upon any state, and accepts things as they are. Where I’m going with this is that it’s not a state of mind, it’s beyond labels, conditions, and mind.

From my understanding when there is no desires or attachment, we live nirvana. How this could be anything other than the feeling of letting go after holding your breath I don’t understand. When there is nothing there is nothing. Putting a man-made concept on that place just doesn’t seem to work for me.

Looking at this from Buddhist Philosophy, we look at the 6 realms of existence, and at each end of the scale is heaven and hell. Beyond that, outside of that chains and wheels of existence is true happiness and nirvana.

May all beings be happy.

Gassho,

Wade

]]> By: Marcus http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13534 Marcus Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:04:25 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13534 Is that not what pure and utter despair is? Is that not what pure and utter despair is?

]]> By: Jerry http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13517 Jerry Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:31:38 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-13517 I believe that true happiness is a state of mind that everyone can choose. But, what is sadness? Is this a duality of opposites? Somehow it seems that true happiness is much more than the opposite of sadness. Sadness is a choice too. However, when you find real happiness it transcends material existence. Can that happen with sadness? I am not a sad person but for some reason I started thinking about this. It boggles my mind to think that someone could sink into an equivalent but opposite state of sadness. Oh well...enough of that. Thanks for the post Wade. It was fun to comptemplate the nature of happiness for awhile. I believe that true happiness is a state of mind that everyone can choose. But, what is sadness? Is this a duality of opposites? Somehow it seems that true happiness is much more than the opposite of sadness. Sadness is a choice too. However, when you find real happiness it transcends material existence. Can that happen with sadness? I am not a sad person but for some reason I started thinking about this. It boggles my mind to think that someone could sink into an equivalent but opposite state of sadness.

Oh well…enough of that. Thanks for the post Wade. It was fun to comptemplate the nature of happiness for awhile.

]]> By: www.thehappinessblog.com http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-10163 www.thehappinessblog.com Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:48:37 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-10163 I agree with it completely. All things are ephemeral and have no ability to outlast themselves. People who focus their attention and pursuit on things are always disappointed. I agree with it completely. All things are ephemeral and have no ability to outlast themselves. People who focus their attention and pursuit on things are always disappointed.

]]> By: Bernie http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-10078 Bernie Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:16:20 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-10078 Hi all. Happiness is a state of mind that one can achieve with relative ease. Staying that way is the hard part. There are so many things out there that can distract you from happiness. but that i call a shallow happiness. The deeper and more meaningful happiness is not that easy to achieve but once you have, it spreads like wildfire to those around you. At least thats what I like to think. I'll leave it to you deep thinkers to debate or debunk it. Hi all. Happiness is a state of mind that one can achieve with relative ease. Staying that way is the hard part. There are so many things out there that can distract you from happiness. but that i call a shallow happiness. The deeper and more meaningful happiness is not that easy to achieve but once you have, it spreads like wildfire to those around you. At least thats what I like to think. I’ll leave it to you deep thinkers to debate or debunk it.

]]> By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-10040 Wade Tue, 14 Aug 2007 03:57:53 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2007/07/17/relating-to-happiness/#comment-10040 @Antoninus; Thanks for your detailed comments and interesting ideas. I'd love to talk more offline.... @rick;Namaste, looking beyond, through. Thank you for your insightful perspective. @chris;Great example :) It's not the instrument that makes you happy, generally, in that case. I dare say it's the ability to learn, grow, express yourself, the joy of the notes, the harmony/dissonance/etc. I was trying to talk about objectual happiness/reliant happiness in this post. Where the new instrument, rather than the playing of the instrument is “the source” of happiness. Thank you ALL for your great comments, they're challenging, insightful and offer great perspectives. *Namaste* Peace, Wade @Antoninus; Thanks for your detailed comments and interesting ideas. I’d love to talk more offline….

@rick;Namaste, looking beyond, through. Thank you for your insightful perspective.

@chris;Great example :) It’s not the instrument that makes you happy, generally, in that case. I dare say it’s the ability to learn, grow, express yourself, the joy of the notes, the harmony/dissonance/etc.

I was trying to talk about objectual happiness/reliant happiness in this post. Where the new instrument, rather than the playing of the instrument is “the source” of happiness.

Thank you ALL for your great comments, they’re challenging, insightful and offer great perspectives.

Namaste

Peace,

Wade

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