I am 42 years old and have been through many ups and downs in life leaving me scarred and unhappy. Nothing works for me. I have tried books, chanting groups and yoga too, but happiness eludes me. Is there a way to real happiness?
Well, it is a fact that no one is happy. We are all trained to use our minds from the day we are born & are cultured systematically to follow the norms of the society. There are those who get trained well & follow others while the intelligent ones slip through the gap and find themselves aware of the reality of life, society, business, competition, survival and wealth.
The secret to happiness is much about the way you live. If you live from your mind, i mean thinking all the time – about past or future, you are bound to evaluate and feel miserable. The fact remains that past is just a memory and future is not yet here, so present moment is all that really exists. If you can realize that and start living moment to moment in a non serious way, then there is a possibility of another perspective to all situations. The problems fall away and you can see reality of life as it is.
While mind only knows how to live in dreams, the heart is the true center of our being. love and trust are its qualities which society does not appreciate and people generally don’t demonstrate, never the less, if you have to win over your mind, you will need to start living more from your heart. Find joy in little things in life like helping others, taking care of less fortunate and keep gratitude in your heart rather than sorrow, hate or regrets.
The law of the universe is simple, it nourishes everyone. So beware what you nourish within. If you allow anger and hate to enter your being, there will be misery from that very moment. For true happiness stay light, forgiving, trusting and loving. Now, this is not the ways of the world, so you might feel not fitting in anymore, but you will also realize that now you have much peace within you.
As you live more from your heart, your being, your whole persona will change. There will be a new perspective to life and you will find true happiness.
I once made a presentation which will come useful to you – here is the link – https://www.slideshare.net/AjayKhanduri/the-art-of-happiness-72571710
Only an enlightened being can state what it takes to be happy. I found these beautiful words by Buddha online.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”
“You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.”
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”
“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”
“The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.”
“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”
“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”
“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”
“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.”
“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”