Beyond Happiness

Happiness is by and large induced by circumstances: when we get what we want, we feel happy; when we don’t, we just can’t feel happy.

In fact, the definition of happy by Oxford Dictionary is:

feeling or showing pleasure; pleased

So when we are not pleased, we can’t be happy, by definition. In that sense, it’s like taking drugs. When you take them, it feels good and we are on heaven. But after a while, welcome back on earth.

Beyond HappinessThis kind of happiness can be termed “outer happiness”, since or therefore, there exists another kind of happiness called “inner happiness”.”Inner happiness”, what is that?

Beyond happiness, there is peace – Eckhart Tolle

Great, how do I get peace, please?

The fundamental weakness of outer happiness is that it fluctuates. So for peace to get beyond this, it must somehow escape the impermanent nature of things.

Can it?

If peace is determined by any single condition, it wouldn’t last, for that thing would eventually change. It should then be evident that in our world, achieving this goal or forgetting that memory cannot bring us peace.

Between the mighty force of the past – whether burdening or glorious, and the attraction of future with its illusions of possibilities, there exists a point in time that opens the door to peace.

It’s called NOW.

Peace is now. Living in the now is letting go of the past and therefore render the future unnecessary, because without a past to give it meaning, the notion of future is meaningless.

Now is hence the closest approximation to eternity.

It’s now.

Wow, is now also now?

Now?

In each and every single moment, if we focus on just that instant, the past and the future cease to matter. That’s why Thich Nhat Hanh titled his book: “Peace is every step”.

Let us not think too much about that because thinking about it doesn’t mean living that second. Let our mind be at rest, and let’s try instead to experience the is-ness in each and every moment.

At each moment of now do we have any problems at all?

Not at all.

We had problems in the past and we would continue to have problems in the future. We just don’t have problems right now, in this single second, because problems only exist in time. 

Why is it [Now] the most precious thing?

Firstly, because it is the only thing. It’s all there is. The eternal present is the space within which your whole life unfolds, the one factor that remains constant. Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be.

Secondly, the Now is the only point that can take you beyond the limited confines of the mind. It is your only point of access into the timeless and formless realm of Being.

I have Questions!!!

Eckhart Tolle had known that you have questions. That’s why he answered, literally.

The book was written in a Q&A format, allowing us to continuously chase our doubts, making the subjects of discussion natural.

It’s always easier said than done. But you should definitely read the book, because it may start a series of realizations for you that are well beyond my understanding of the book.

The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle on Amazon.

No matter what you do and where you are, may you dwell always in the present moment.

P/S:

1) If you would love to listen to Eckhart Tolle, I recommend this You Tube video by Eckhart Tolle. From there you can find out his many other talks.

2) Many ideas expressed in this post are vague, over-simplified,  and not well-elaborated. They should hence be taken as pointers only.

3) New year is coming. Is it?