|
Dear Ones,
We live in two worlds simultaneously, not one. The two worlds are the outer world of objects and other people, and the inner world comprised of thought and feeling. This is a basic fact of our existence but we overlook the obvious. Everyone wants their inner world to be happy and peaceful, to achieve what I call “the clear space of good feeling”. But our cultural assumption is that our inner wellbeing is contingent on the success of our outer life. We think that if we handle our career, relationship and health issues properly we’ll be happy.
True enough, it is good to work at getting all these areas of life in order, but the fact that we overlook is that inner happiness is completely independent of the external world. To pursue inner happiness directly is the role of spirituality and the essential methods are meditation and Self-inquiry. No matter what happens externally, positive or negative, we can attain such a strong and centred inner state that we remain happy whatever occurs.
I urge everyone to pay more attention to their inner life. Meditate, inquire within. Notice this: the outer world is a shared reality. We can join groups to get things done. All of us have a stake. But the inner world is different. No one is in your inner world but you, so if you don’t work on it, who will?
Notice this also: everything in your outer life is held in your awareness. That includes both your thoughts and feelings about everything. Your awareness, your Consciousness, contains your whole life. It is the lens through which you see everything. By working on your awareness you can attain the clear space of good feeling. Meditate and don’t be satisfied with superficial answers and external appearances.
And know this also: within you there is a great person waiting to be discovered, a great power waiting to be unleashed and a great wisdom and love beyond your wildest imaginings.
With love,
Mahant Swami Shankarananda
Shiva School of Meditation & Yoga
|
