Be Happy Always

Be Happy… Always

The basic principle of the human heart is to always “be happy.” The human heart is the spiritual center of each human being. “Being happy” is the basic principle that carries the weight and structures around and above all the other necessary principles in order to conduct a peaceful and content life. “Being happy” is the complete joy that one experiences in being fully content with the true nature of his soul (atma or Self). 

Each principle comprises of a different combination of human values. For example within the principle to help all is the human values of compassion, selflessness, patience, and courage. In each of these human values is the basic feeling (or bhava) of pure unconditional love. It is this pure unconditional love that streams from the heart (or the spiritual center) of the human being and one translates this love into an act of love that becomes a human value. For example one feels a strong bond of love between him and his mother. This love then expresses itself and becomes respect. Within this respect for the mother is a stream of love that contains gratitude, faith, and loyalty.  The respect for the mother is the act of love and the gratitude, faith, and loyalty that is contained in the respect is the different proportions of human values. Both of these together form the principle of motherhood. Within this principle lie the respect of the child and the selfless giving of love of the mother.

The basic principle of being happy is the foundation and the solid ground for all principles to be laid around and layered above it. Self-discipline is when one remains rooted to this basic principle. The self-disciplined noble soul conducts his life from this very base principle and climbs slowly to the principles that remain structured around it. Little by little he stretches and reaches the treasures of goodness and Godliness that streams from his spiritual heart. Such a man in the world is called as “a man of exemplary character.” He inspires all who forget the basic principle of their center that is “to always be happy.” 

There is no human being who comes without the connection to his spiritual center. Even the one who appears “lost” is trying to connect his mind back to his spiritual center. He too abhors the complexity of his mind and wishes to return to the basic principle of simply being happy. The one who conducts himself aware of this principle always finds wisdom to deal with his life moment to moment. 

God has given to each one of us the insight to use the pure and unconditional love that He has placed in our spiritual hearts. When one gets attached to this truth of being happy he is able to use his intellect and through it express this love in his thought, word, and action. When one is content in this basic principle of being happy one is able to witness this entire universe in the light of this Divine love. Seeing the universe as God itself gives one a complete peace. It fills one with a wave of fulfillment. It carries one to the state of spiritual expansiveness. 

The pure unconditional love is a bond between the soul (atma) and the spiritual center (heart). This bond in each one is inexhaustible and indestructible.

However the trouble lies when one sees oneself always distant from his inner happiness. When one finds the need to attain and acquire happiness one loses temporarily the vision of this bond between pure love and being happy. One begins to desire happiness and wishes to give the least love necessary in order to receive peace. That itself is the pressure under which one loses his Self only to acquire his short-term ambition. Such a life ultimately leads to frustration. One is frustrated not because he has nothing but because he feels empty within his own Self.

One has to go back to fill this emptiness by going back to the basic principle of always being happy. Our beloved Lord Bhagwan Shri Sathya Sai Baba always reminded us to return to this basic principle… “Be happy… Be happy always… Be happy no matter what… Be happy for the sake of love… Be happy to be your Self…” 

Heaven lies in the heart of the good, the peaceful, the good-charactered, and in the one who is ever strong to be joyful…… See the heaven that is in your spiritual core… Bring to this world its Divine treasures… Be happy… Being simple is being happy by simply being the Self… The Self that you are and always will be! 

(Inspirational message received by Seema M. Dewan, June 8th, 2011)

Pearl 22

Man's vision which is turned outward towards the phenomenal universe should be turned inwards towards the indwelling spirit.  One should manifest the Divine consciousness inherent in him.  He should submit himself to that consciousness as a spiritual discipline.  This is called the conscious realization of the inner Divinity.  The first step is to develop awareness of the Divinity within.  The next step is to realize that the Divinity which is within oneself is equally present in all others also.  One must recognize that the veil that appears to separate him from others is born of delusion and every effort should be made to remove it.  Only then will it be possible to experience the oneness of all living being.

(Tfd, 13 Feb '04)

A Friend

One day, many years ago, when I was working as a psychologist at a children's institution in England, an adolescent boy showed up in the waiting room. I went out there where he was walking up and down restlessly.

I showed him into my office and pointed to the chair on the other side of my desk. It was in late autumn, and the lilac bush outside the window had shed all its leaves. "Please sit down," I said.

David wore a black rain coat that was buttoned all the way up to his neck. His face was pale, and he stared at his feet while wringing his hands nervously. He had lost his father as an infant, and had lived together with his mother and grandfather since. But the year before David turned 13, his grandfather died and his mother was killed in a car accident. Now he was 14 and in family care.

His head teacher had referred him to me. "This boy," he wrote, "is understandably very sad and depressed. He refuses to talk to others and I'm very worried about him. Can you help?"

I looked at David. How could I help him? There are human tragedies psychology doesn't have the answer to, and which no words can describe. Sometimes the best thing one can do is to listen openly and sympathetically.

The first two times we met, David didn't say a word. He sat hunched up in the chair and only looked up to look at the children's drawings on the wall behind me. As he was about to leave after the second visit, I put my hand on his shoulder. He didn't shrink back, but he didn't look at me either.

"Come back next week, if you like," I said. I hesitated a bit. Then I said, "I know it hurts."

He came, and I suggested we play a game of chess. He nodded. After that we played chess every Wednesday afternoon - in complete silence and without making any eye contact. It's not easy to cheat in chess, but I admit that I made sure David won once or twice.

Usually, he arrived earlier than agreed, took the chessboard and pieces from the shelf and began setting them up before I even got a chance to sit down. It seemed as if he enjoyed my company. But why did he never look at me?

"Perhaps he simply needs someone to share his pain with," I thought. "Perhaps he senses that I respect his suffering." One afternoon in late winter, David took off his rain coat and put it on the back of the chair. While he was setting up the chess pieces, his face seemed more alive and his motions more lively.

Some months later, when the lilacs blossomed outside, I sat starring at David's head, while he was bent over the chessboard. I thought about how little we know about therapy - about the mysterious process associated with healing. Suddenly, he looked up at me.

"It's your turn," he said.

After that day, David started talking. He got friends in school and joined a bicycle club. He wrote to me a few times ("I'm biking with some friends and I feel great"); letters about how he would try to get into university. After some time, the letters stopped. Now he had really started to live his own life.

Maybe I gave David something. At least I learned a lot from him. I learned how time makes it possible to overcome what seems to be an insuperable pain. I learned to be there for people who need me. And David showed me how one - without any words - can reach out to another person. All it takes is a hug, a shoulder to cry on, a friendly touch, a sympathetic nature - and an ear that listens.

- Author Unknown -

UPLIFTED VIEW

"I uplift my thoughts with spiritual vision."

The full joy of hiking may not be realized until I climb high enough up the mountain to see the far-reaching view of my world.

And raising my thoughts with spiritual vision is even more revealing, for it enables me to see a more inclusive view of all the blessings that are around me. I gain a greater awareness of myself and my relationship with God.

From this higher viewpoint, I see the whole picture, which is the true picture. Problems seem smaller and easier to handle and people appear closer to each other and more harmonious.

With a broader outlook, I realize that any new undertaking will involve changes in my present routine and thinking. Yet I know that such changes open the way for great possibilities in my life.

"The path of righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day."

- Proverbs 4:18

(From : 'Daily Word' magazine by Silent Unity, a world wide prayer ministry)

O REVEAL TO ME

O my Sai,

I've lumbered along

In brittle ways

Seeking you - here,

Within my heart.

Stumbling thus,

I've lost my way

Ever again!

Thus have I sauntered

To this very day!

Bent on my knees, I pray

O Lord, instill in me

Abiding faith.

Reveal to me - that,

Beholding which -

To You I race

In earnest steadied pace.

Shower Your Grace

To cleanse my heart.

Lead me on - O Lord

To love You - thru' and thru'

- ONLY YOU

- ONLY YOU

- ONLY YOU!

(By : Dr Vasantha Nair, Blossoming Love) 

GEM 843

Holding fast to Truth, you must make righteousness, peace, love and non-violence the guide posts of your life.

(From : Garland of 1008 Gems, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba's Sayings)

Thoughts

Human Estate

The base traits which are found in man are the result of his food and other habits and do not arise from his Atma.  Vices like lust, anger, envy and pride are the outcome of bad food and improper associations and are products of external factors.  They do not arise from within.  Qualities like love, compassion, consideration for others arise from within one's self.  These are human values.  Forgetting these values, following animal qualities, man are leading an animal existence.  This is wrong.  Men should lead lives based on their human estate.

(Sanathana Sarathi, December 1993, pg 312)

MESSAGE 22

“I am always devoted to My devotee. I am pleased most often when one loves Me spontaneously without its awareness.”

“I will answer you…guide you…turn and transform you. I am the voice of your soul.”

“I grace you with devotion when you turn away from your ‘artificial ways’ and seek the way from your fears to truth.”

“Whatever needs to come to you will come timely. I rescue you from all your difficulties by simply changing your way of thinking.”

“The more you experience your love for Me…the more you will be free of the unnecessary fears.”

“You must believe that your devotion for God is nothing but your devotion to your ‘Self’.”

“Do not plan…do not worry. Whatever that is supposed to happen will come to you. If you are immersed in being devoted to Me nothing will touch you…nothing will awaken you from the Glory of your devotion.

Your love for Me must not swing from time to time. That will lead to restlessness. Restlessness is the first sign of the suffering to come.

Do not think…even if things are going your way or the other way. Just face them…what can you receive from both? Nothing! Remain steadfast in the effort of remaining calm and balanced.

Remember Me always. That practice will free you from chasing all else.”
Part of the book: 'Inspiring Thoughts'
By Seema M. Dewan
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