The problem of good and evil
With all the news lately about cheating, corruption and, other scandals in the corporate world you might think that evil is increasing in the world. But I argue that there are not two motivations in the world, good and evil. There is only one motivation and that is the desire to find lasting happiness.
But the problem is that happiness does not come from the world; it is hidden in the heart of the one experiencing it. If you want to know how this is true, just look to the place where you actually experience happiness. Is it in the objects that you see or is it in your own heart?
Do you experience happiness out there in an object like money, a house or a car or do you experience in on the inside, right at the place where you stand? I think when you examine this closely you will find that the source of happiness lies on the inside, the exact place where you experience it.
Objects cannot provide what they don’t have
But the assumption is that if I only have more money, a house, or a spouse then I will be happy. But the problem is that objects cannot give you what they don’t have. And yet the desire for happiness is extremely strong and cannot be ignored; it is the desire to return to your real home, which is your own self-nature.
But you may think, “If a million dollars doesn't give me what I want, perhaps a billion dollars will do the trick.” But when you look at the world objectively you will see that billionaires have just as many problems as millionaires; at the least billionaires are not a thousand times happier than a millionaire.
And on the other end of the spectrum, saints who seem to have nothing can be ecstatic with joy. Situations that you would assume would make a person miserable do not necessarily make them unhappy. The starkest example of this is in Victor Frankl’s, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” where he describes different people’s reaction to living in a concentration camp. Not everyone reacted in the way you would expect.
But the desire for happiness is so strong that a person will do whatever is necessary to get the object of his or her desire, even if this means cheating and hurting others. In the same vein a person will do what he or she can to destroy which he thinks is an obstacle to his happiness, even if this means committing acts of evil.
Getting an object does not assure happiness
But the sad thing is even if people get what they want they will not get the happiness that they desire. That’s because the only way to find happiness is to have the wisdom to know where to look.
In life it is sometimes necessary to face situations that seem very changeling, situations that we have no desire to face. But there is a happiness or deep peace, found on the inside that will support you no matter what situation you have to face.
When you face a challenge just stand here
It is just a matter of discovering this happiness and standing here. Then you will be the depths of the ocean that supports the waves on the surface. You will see that your worth does not come from what you have; it comes from what you are. You will have discovered the peace that passes all understanding. This peace is free from our usual notions of good and evil.
For more information on the source of happiness go to www.light-up-your-life.com and scroll down to: “The kingdom of heaven is within you.”
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Question everything
Here
I always encourage questions. People take too much for granted about
the world, their body, mind, and their nature. Questioning encourages
you to take a fresh look. Looking afresh, once again life becomes fresh
and a real adventure. Without changing a thing, everyday experiences
become completely new. If you need help with your questions you can
write me at
michael@light-up-your-life.com.
Please join us
Every
Tuesday we hold a meeting here in our house in Los Gatos California.
All too often it is only my wife and I that attend. But we still have a
wonderful time. If you find yourself in this area and would like to
attend here is a link where you can find more information
www.light-up-your-life.com/talks.html
Other resources available to you
Another resource that we offer is the book, Making Your Wisdom Come
Alive, a step by step guide taking you from your everyday experience to the
highest wisdom and truth. To find out more, click on the link below:
To join our mailing list go to: http://www.light-up-your-life.com/join.html
Please tell you friends.
Although we don’t have an advertising budget, we hope that everyone who wants
to can find out about and wake up to this wisdom.
Michael Gluckman
