Finding Happiness

We all want to feel happy. Unfortunately, the circumstances of life don't always support our happiness. Issues with money, jobs, health, and relationships frequently steal our happiness. Collectively, we have discovered ways of sidestepping our unhappiness, at least temporarily. Some familiar tactics that people use to feel good include positive affirmations, denial, distractions, avoidance, procrastination and a wide variety of addictions. Perhaps you can think of others. By engaging in these tactics, we are trying to fix the problem by removing the symptoms, not by addressing the cause. This approach to achieving happiness can be likened to a gardener who plucks the weeds without pulling the roots. Everyone knows, when you don't get the roots, the weeds grow back. So, what then is the root of unhappiness? With respect to unhappiness, I believe that the root is a deep, pervading sense of lack. This sense of lack runs deeper than circumstance; it is an inherent aspect of the human condition. Even people who seem to have everything going for them in the areas of money, jobs, health, relationships and family still often feel that there is something missing in their lives. Where does this sense of lack come from? I believe that this sense of lack is caused by a misdirection of our attention. What do I mean by this? As self-conscious beings, we have the unique ability to willfully direct our attention. Unfortunately, in our western society, we have, for the most part, forsaken this treasure. Our misdirected attention is the root cause of unhappiness. Regarding attention, we have two fundamental options. We can direct our attention outwardly or we can direct our attention inwardly. Our outward attention is very familiar to us. It is the conditioned attention we give to our body, the world and our mind. Our sensing informs us about our body. Our perceptions inform us about the world. Our thoughts inform us about our mind. In the western world, the majority of people spend nearly 100% of their lives focusing their attention outwardly. You might ask, “Apart from the body, mind and world, what else is there? Where else could our attention be directed?” The answer is: inwardly, toward our own awareness. The next question is, “What could be the benefit of directing our attention towards our awareness?” The answer may surprise you! Here is what I've discovered. When your attention is directed outwardly, you essentially become disconnected from your Self. This disconnection with your Self is the root cause of the feeling of lack. However, by the simple action of turning your attention inwardly and focusing attention on your own awareness, you re-establish acquaintance with your Self - your eternal, boundless nature. Happiness naturally arises when you reconnect with your Self. The more often you direct your attention inwardly toward your Self, the more happiness you will experience. The next obvious question is, “How do you turn your attention towards your own awareness?” If you'd like to become re-acquainted with your awareness, ask yourself this simple question: "Who is reading these words?" You may hear a reply in your head that sounds something like, "I am." Awareness is not the thought "I am". Instead, awareness is the silent, knowing, felt sense of "I am." It is the spacious, witnessing presence that animates your thoughts, sensations and perceptions. It is the sense of presence that has been with you throughout your life. Direct your attention back towards your knowing presence and let it rest there. Thoughts, sensations and perceptions may still arise, but they will remain in the background of your experience. Presence will be primary. You'll see that it was there all the time, waiting for you to notice. The easiest time to practice this is when you are feeling calm and are not distracted by the comings and goings of life. If you take some time to practice when you're calm, it will become easier to do this when you feel unhappy, upset, disturbed, etc. Unhappiness is a signal that you have misdirected your attention, so whenever you feel unhappy, it's an invitation and a reminder to turn your attention to your Self again. Your Self is waiting for you along with your happiness. Perhaps it's time to make the introduction. You'll be glad you did!