A state of permanent joy, hidden at the very center of consciousness, is the Eden to which the long journey of spiritual seeking leads. -- Eknath Easwaran, "Words to Live By," August 29
This morning I can believe that hidden is the most important word in Easwaran's quote.
I was talking with a friend yesterday, and we each have a relative who is unhappy. Miserably unhappy, not to put too fine a point on it. Both have financial security, good-enough health (they are both elderly...our age...so they've got aches, pains and doctors for everything), plus people to step-and-fetch for them.
In talking my friend and I agreed that what our respective relatives lack is an attitude of gratitude. And that is all. Interestingly, that is also freely available...can't be bought, bartered or pilfered. Ah, but just because it is freely available does not mean it is freely given.
Like the permanent joy Easwaran wrote about, gratitude is hidden at our very core...oh, hey, with joy! That's probably why it is a long journey of spiritual seeking that is needed...miserably unhappy does not lend itself to gratitude, much less to joy. And through spiritual seeking, to boot!
It is a shame, but it is too often true, that which we most need, love and laughter, is that which we most resist...with grim resolve. Mainly because when we chose to feel unloved, unwanted, unneeded and unappreciated, what's to love and laugh about? We can see no reason for it.
We must go beyond reason to love.
Thank you.
It is a shame, but it is too often true, that which we most need, love and laughter, is that which we most resist...with grim resolve. Mainly because when we chose to feel unloved, unwanted, unneeded and unappreciated, what's to love and laugh about? We can see no reason for it.
We must go beyond reason to love.
Thank you.
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