“You can’t take sides against anything. If you would just leave the ‘against’ part out; if you would just be one who is for things – you would live happily ever after …”
~ Abraham-Hicks
It’s a beautiful morning here on St. Thomas, and I found myself overflowing with positive thoughts and emotions as I sat this morning ….
Following my post yesterday, I scrolled a bit through Facebook, and found a repeating theme appearing before me. It prompted me to begin a draft to share with you today …
It’s how to live happily ever after ….
—–
Questioner: As children we are told what is beautiful and what is ugly, with the result that all through life we go on repeating, “This is beautiful, that is ugly”. How is one to know what is real beauty and what is ugliness?
Krishnamurti: Suppose you say that a certain arch is beautiful, and someone else says it is ugly.
Now, which is important: to fight over your conflicting opinions as to whether something is beautiful or ugly, or to be sensitive to both beauty and ugliness?
In life there is filth, squalor, degradation, sorrow, tears, and there is also joy, laughter, the beauty of a flower in the sunlight.
What matters, surely, is to be sensitive to everything, and not merely decide what is beautiful and what is ugly and remain with that opinion.
If I say, “I am going to cultivate beauty and reject all ugliness”, what happens?
The cultivation of beauty then makes for insensitivity.
It is like a man developing his right arm, making it very strong, and letting his left arm wither.
So you must be awake to ugliness as well as to beauty.
You must see the dancing leaves, the water flowing under the bridge, the beauty of an evening, and also be aware of the beggar in the street; you must see the poor woman struggling with a heavy load and be ready to help her, give her a hand.
All this is necessary, and it is only when you have this sensitivity to everything that you can begin to work, to help, and not reject or condemn.
~ From Jiddu Krishnamurti’s ‘Think On These Things’, chapter 6
—–
The Buddha ~ The Trap of Unhappiness:
Feeling –> Craving
Craving –> Pursuit
Pursuit –> Gain
Gain –> Decisions
Decisions –> Desire
Desire –> Attachment
Attachment –> Stinginess
Stinginess –> Safeguarding
Safeguarding –> Evil Unwholesome Phenomena
(conflicts, quarrels, insulting speech, falsehoods)
—–
A recent study found that being exposed to Buddhist teachings reduces prejudice and increases pro-sociality. I know that the study of eastern philosophy (buddhism, hinduism and yoga) has changed my life, and my approach to most situations. I have an ever growing faith in God, the Universe, and humankind. As I see what creates suffering, within myself, I continue to grow less reactive. Less attached to my opinions and preferences. Spreading love, not discord.
As you head out into the world today, be sensitive. Practice ahimsa (compassion). Be for things. Let go of the need to be “right”. Simply explore. Go with green light thinking. Lend a helping hand.
Result: An atmosphere of non-conflict & happiness 🙂
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change (even the big dipper).”
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
Happy Monday!
(Cosmic Giggle #2: Drafted Sunday, April 19 @ 9:30AM)
