Universal Truths

September 9th, 2007 · No Comments

Happiness is the one universal truth that nearly all of us at one point or another can enjoy. As you ascend the spiritual ladder towards the goals you have set for yourself, remember that happiness is not just a feeling but so much more, it is a goal.

The idea that happiness being a goal is not universal but the idea of happiness as a state of mind is. With spiritual maturity you begin to understand what can bring about lasting happiness; that is non-attachment. As an adult you begin to comprehend the fleeting measure of things. Through meditation and reflection you can come to realize that any possessions in fact or thought are really a source of clinging or grasping. It is nearly impossible to speak about happiness and not have an understanding of sadness.

All of our emotions are caught up in the pursuit of what we think will make us happy. How many times have we started a project or endeavor and then dropped it because we realized that it was too difficult to attain, or wasn’t worth the effort it took to sustain the pursuit. We need to place ourselves in the right state of mind before we decide what to pursue.

Four things are very important:

Begin by developing a real concern and caring nature for everyone around us regardless of faith, sex, color, size, orientation, or any factor we use to discriminate.

Be thankful for all the opportunities that life presents us with, whether easy or difficult. Instead of thinking this is a hard time, let it be a time that we work hard to show what we are made of.

Be a positive force in your life as well as the lives of others.

Keep your mind in a positive track, rather than negative. Learn to recognize when negative energy is arising. Instead of complaining about something not working well or right, offer a solution.

Each moment we spend in positive reflection is securing the positive nature we need to succeed in our goal of happiness. Use, develop and sustain your sense of intuition. Remember what the teacher used to say when we were in school, if you don’t know the answer read the question and choose the first one that sounds, or feels right. Intuition is not a gift, it is a skill which needs to be practiced. Our nature is such that once learned we can practice our skills.

A very important component is allowing yourselves to be open to change. Allow for flexibility and be thankful for the many opportunities that you find in your path. Resistance to change and inflexibility is the ego’s defense against loss. Try not to be rebellious or close minded, and learn or recognize when negative energy is arising in your life. Being overly opinionated and inflexible increases the negative energy in your life.

Compassion and the realization of compassion in our lives are paramount. We can not afford to allow ourselves to be swept away in a sea of dilution with respect to how we treat and how others treat us. Anger is replaceable with understanding. Hatred is dissolved with compassion. In a pursuit of wholesomeness and goodness we must acknowledge ourselves at the outset. Fire of hatred is never extinguished by more hatred. Give yourself permission to love and be loved. Instill in your hearts the gift of compassion.

I Wish You Peace,

Bhante Kassapa

Bhante n. Kassapa Bhikkhu
bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com
Buu Mon Temple
Port Arthur, Texas, 77640
409.982.9319