Jay Schryer
Thanks for the great reminder, Lisis! It’s true that so much of our unhappiness comes from the feeling that we have to have *this* job, or *this* relationship, or *this* house in *this* town. If we can let go of the need to dictate the specifics, happiness can find us from unexpected directions.
Jay Schryer’s latest post… Under Pressure

“The Buddha said happiness can only be possible in the here and now”

But with this i absolutely agree. We can only feel happiness if we immense in the moment, and not think about the past and future. Only then can we find happiness.

thanks
leanne
my blog: Luminess Air Reviews

Roger, you bring up a good point in your comment: I think many people see that others are happy (for instance, Buddhists) and try to become like them. They read about them, study their teachings, adopt their traditions. But I think this is a mistake. The Dalai Lama would be the first to advise that we don’t need to become Buddhist (or anything else) to be happy. There is much to be learned from all the spiritual and philosophical traditions. But in the end, it comes down to what is already in you, and it cannot be found in any more books. At some point, we just have to quiet the noise, remove the distractions and look within… deep within. The answer has always been there.

Sounds like you are in good hands with this Sensei, and well on your way with your meditation experiments.

I’ve read two books by Thich Nhat Hanh and enjoyed them both. I agree that happiness comes from appreciating the present.

It also helps to let go of your ego – I, me, and my. I just became a member of a Buddhist Zen center and met with my Sensei. He advised me to stop reading Buddhist books for now because they just lead to more thought and ego. He advised me to meditate more instead.

Roger – A Content Life’s latest post… 12 Happiness Activities – Part 1