Happiness Post - 2

 

The mission I set on to understand the happiness concept paved way for reading, exploring, experiencing this journey, and being evolved with every step. Obviously, I am still a ‘Work in Progress’. There is no destination to reach because the journey is the destination. No proper end goal to attain only a refined self with better conscience. When I wrote the series Money, success, and happiness 10 years ago, the world was a different one than what it is now. Today, as I write this, there is chaos and uncertainty all around. Finding peace in the midst of chaos is not an easy task.

The first step towards self-care during such chaotic times is to be aware of oneself. Yes, “being aware”. Being aware of your thoughts helps you to identify the root cause of your feelings. The feeling of contentment,resentment, joy, sadness, anguish, anxiety , or whatever you are feeling at that moment ,be aware of how you are feeling. Relationships become easier, whether with people or things as you become aware of yourself. This type of  self-awareness helps us to respond not react. There is a difference between responding and reacting. When you react, the action could be quick, impulsive, aggressive, not thought out but instead of reacting when you respond, you think through your action constructively and calmly. 

J. Krishnamurti, in his series of talks on self-knowledge (1948), talks about "choiceless awareness". He asserts that, “Awareness is to understand the activities of the self, the 'I', in its relationship with people, with ideas, and with things.” We must constantly observe everything that arises from us without condemning or judging. He also states that, during this process of observation, mind becomes extremely alert and sensitive to changes that is happening. The power of intuition, the stillness, and the alert passivity of not being involved in the thoughts but observing them brings the magical transformation. The process is simple. Just sit down and be with yourself. You and your thoughts. No condemnation and no judgement. As they pass through the screen of your mind one by one, you become the observer of your thoughts. Detaching yourself from your thoughts and watching them, cleanses the mind. You become aware. You become aware of your thoughts, ideas, and actions. Whether you are happy or sad or angry or frustrated, it does not matter. The first step of being aware and recognizing your feelings without judgement goes a long way in dealing with chaos and uncertain times. 

Remember to respond and not react.

You may also like to read:

Happiness : Post 1

Money happiness and success :Part-1 Part-2 Part-3  Part- 4 Part-5