Essential Happiness, Letting Go of Guilt to Be Happy

Happiness is not a reward to be earned through suffering: it's a simple truth, offered to whoever agrees to receive it. A text that shifts the gaze — from sin to be atoned for, to joy to be welcomed. There's a method for that. You just need to know it and use it. In authentic spirituality, allow yourself to be happy.

A boy, in the middle of a wheat field, holds his head raised toward the sky and the sun, eyes closed, looking happy. He holds his arms out wide, as if to welcome the joy of living. — It is possible to be happy like a child, happy with an essential happiness.

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Essential Happiness,

Letting Go of Guilt to Be Happy

"The sun is like light, the wind in the leaves is like music, and the happiness of being alive speaks of the Holy-Name." (Bhaktimàrga, 59)

"Blessed are the simple*," "Be like children"… these are beautiful formulas you can agree with. "Truly, unless you come to the Kingdom like little children, you will not enter it." (Matthew 19:14)

* "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!" (Matthew 5:3)

Reading this passage from the Gospels, you can only say "That's true!" — but do you really grasp what it means? It's like mantras: people are offered them, and they'll say it's true, that it's lovely, and they'll repeat it again and again — but will they understand?

"Let those who have ears to hear, hear." (Matthew 13:9) When you follow the sadhana of the Path spiritual, when the happiness it brings fills you, you want to speak of it to others — but you find that nothing you say interests them.

Few people are aware they are seeking this kind of happiness — an essential happiness. They're too busy seeking something else. You can only gather those who already think as you do. To speak of the Path's teaching is to sound a horn to rally your own kind.

The Sleeping Followers

In the world, there are sleeping followers who awaken when they read something about it. Hard to reach them all, without means, while avoiding the pitfall of proselytizing — but you must do everything you can, tirelessly. "Blessed are the simple, be like children" — but it's true! You must understand it literally!

Don't ask yourself questions, love life; and yet, it doesn't happen that way; it isn't by putting on short trousers or playing hopscotch that you'll become children again!

This is what religion asks of you: "Be kind to others, love one another as God loves you, go help the poor, become a saint, and once you're a saint, you may lay claim to the Kingdom of heaven."

That's taking things backwards — as if we said: "To be full, stop being hungry." Eat, and then you won't be hungry anymore. If you're hungry and don't eat, you won't be satisfied.

Kindness Is Optional

Go to God and you'll become a saint, eventually. That's not the goal; being kind isn't spiritually useful. What's useful is having the techniques to go within, the right way. For that, you don't need to be kind. Nor unkind, for that matter!

If you want to be kind, if it's one of your natural inclinations, then fine — be kind. But that's not what will take you to the right place, where the light capable of illuminating your consciousness resides.

There's a method for that. You just need to know it and use it. In authentic spirituality, allow yourself to be happy. I know I said happiness wasn't the goal — but I meant the happiness we usually hear about, the kind offered by human society, a consumerist happiness.

The happiness I speak of comes from deep consciousness. You're so accustomed to the notion of original sin, that you should atone through suffering, that a joyful spirituality can frighten you.

Religion says: "Don't laugh, don't feast — that's gluttony, and gluttony is a sin, and beware of lust!" "Sex, yes; pleasure, no!" You're allowed to feel good — it isn't forbidden. If you want to reach the gate of the Kingdom, like a child, then be joyful. The problem isn't so much pleasure as it is desire. Pleasure can be found in God.

Allow Yourself to Stop Suffering

This too is letting go: accepting that suffering isn't mandatory, accepting to set down all the pain you believe you deserve. It's a very Christian thing, to atone for original sin. Today, it's even become the refrain of certain ideological movements. Make use of this Grace that God gives you. God is not a man; He holds no grudges.

Allow yourself to stop suffering. Essential happiness isn't earned. When you're thirsty, what must you do to deserve a drink? Nothing — drink, and your thirst will be quenched. Once you've received the Revelation, you need only follow the sadhana*. Do it, and be as happy as you can. You are not required to suffer.

* A term designating the whole body of practices and guidance of the Path.

Be happy to sit at a table with food to eat. Be happy to see the sky and its birds, to be tired and have a bed to sleep in, with a roof overhead, four walls, and a door that locks. There are simple happinesses — simple as a child.

This life is a long holiday, and the world a great garden where you've been set loose; so go and play. That's why God made you alive. Do what needs doing, and it will work out: "Heaven helps those who help themselves"… that's the principle of Grace.

Grace isn't felt without effort; you must give the first push. How do you work, earn your living, and handle daily problems while still remaining a child? I tell you: by entrusting yourself to God and, for followers of the Path, by observing the sadhana. There's nothing else to do.

If you have any questions, please write here:

madhyama.marga@gmail.com

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