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32 Principles That Lead To Happiness Use This Book For Continual Evolution The Key To Effective Problem Solving
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Symbols Of Happiness All the goals and aspirations we have... are really only the symbols of happiness. They might range from a new Partner, to a new car or a new dress or any other thing that you desire. In themselves, they are not the goal; they are but the means of moving you towards the goal. There is really no division between spiritual and physical pursuits. What is generally viewed as spiritual is the force underlying the desire for the physical. One level is the level of thought or an idea. The other is a physical symbol for that idea. But you may if you wish to view it that way separate life into that which is spiritual and that which is physical. This is just an example of the way our beliefs determine what we see. I know many people will misunderstand what I have just written, so here is an example. Imagine the symbol you want is a new coat. Why is it that you want a new coat? Because your old one is out of date or becoming worn. So what do you really want? To look presentable or even attractive. Why do you want to look attractive or presentable? So that people won’t think badly of me. Why don’t you want people to think badly of you? Because they might not want to talk to me or get to know me. So the symbols of happiness in this case is a new coat. But really it's about the idea of getting along with people and expanding your experiences through social interaction. The goal is the same as the more ‘spiritual’ goal of living harmoniously with others, but it is disguised in a physical symbol. Because we generally look on the surface layer with the Economic Mindset we become fixated on the thing we want. The symbols. Sometimes we cannot get that thing. And so we feel frustrated and angry as we bang our heads against the wall endlessly to get it. If we looked from a broader perspective we would often look like a fly who keeps bashing up against a closed window, despite there being an open window just a few feet away. The important thing is to remember that the thing is not essential, it is just the symbol for the desired feeling. We can find another way of reaching the same feelings and so change our beliefs. However through the Economic Mindset we lose sight of the real meaning of our desires. We become fixated that we must get the object of our desire. As we keep focusing on this thing… and yet can’t achieve it… the effect is like a car stuck in a muddy field. So the harder we try the more stuck we get. Eventually we have dug ourselves into a rut. If we keep spinning our wheels we reach a point where we become so depressed that we can no longer see any other option. Now we’re trapped – and powerless – just through our own thoughts. Therefore it is helpful to recognise that any time you want something. It isn’t really the thing you want… that is just to move you towards the experience the deeper part of you craves. Next: Find Something Beautiful |