We often ask, "What's wrong?" Doing so, we invite painful seeds of
sorrow to come up and manifest. We feel suffering, anger, depression, and
produce more such seeds. We would
be much happier if we tried to stay in touch with the healthy, joyful seeds inside
of us and around us. We should learn to ask, "What's not wrong?" and
be in touch with that. There are
so many elements in the world and within our bodies, feelings, perceptions, and
consciousness that are wholesome, refreshing and healing. If we block
ourselves, if we stay in the prison of our sorrow, we will not be in touch with
these healing elements.
Life is filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the
sunshine, the eyes of a baby. Our breathing, for example, can be very
enjoyable. I enjoy breathing every day. But many people appreciate the joy of
breathing only when they have asthma or a stuffed up nose. We don't need to
wait until we have asthma or a stuffed up nose to enjoy our breathing.
Awareness of the precious elements of happiness is itself the
practice of right mindfulness. Elements like these are within us and all around
us. In each second of our lives we can enjoy them. If we do so, seeds of peace,
joy, and happiness will be planted in us and they will become strong. The secret
to happiness is happiness itself.
Wherever we are, any time, we have he capacity to enjoy the sunshine,
the presence of each other, the wonder of our breathing. We don't have to
travel anywhere else to do so. We can be in touch with these things right now.
