Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves. ~ Buddha
I think it is safe to say that everyone wants to experience more joy. I'm not sure that anyone in the history of time has ever turned down the opportunity for more joy, "no thanks, I'm all filled up, I can't accept one more ounce of joy; just take that joy back to wherever it came from, there's no room for it here." I just don't see it happening.
I think many people feel they don't deserve joy, but that's an entirely different issue from not wanting it. If we believe that our thoughts can shape our reality, and that our dominate mental states get reflected back to us through the surrounding world, then it follows that we should become increasingly aware of what we think. The Buddha said that once our thoughts fall into alignment with quality of sattva (purity, balance, harmony, peace and sweetness) then we will be filled with an unquenchable joy.
This requires that we stop and examine our thoughts. When we catch ourselves churning negative thoughts, phrases or reactions, we literally need to stop and reframe it in a more positive light - Stop -and "Take Two"- Start Again.
It's a funny thing though... we all want our lives to change, we want certain relationships or situations to become better and easier, but we don't want to have to be the one to change. Ironically, the only thing we really have the power to change is ourselves; more specifically, our way of thinking, our manner of speaking, and the way in which we express ourselves to others.
We have to be willing to change, or at minimum willing to consider changing, for only then will we begin to see our outer world shifting and morphing in a new direction.
If we are honest, we will notice that most of our problems originate from our own self, and our reactions to the undesirable situations around us. So guard your mind, watch what you are creating through the words you say when you think no one is listening.
When you catch yourself in a negative spiral, see if you can turn it around, think a new thought, and watch how a new vibration starts to grow within your life.
You might even find a little more joy along the way!
Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or non believing, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference.
~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV
I think it is safe to say that everyone wants to experience more joy. I'm not sure that anyone in the history of time has ever turned down the opportunity for more joy, "no thanks, I'm all filled up, I can't accept one more ounce of joy; just take that joy back to wherever it came from, there's no room for it here." I just don't see it happening.
I think many people feel they don't deserve joy, but that's an entirely different issue from not wanting it. If we believe that our thoughts can shape our reality, and that our dominate mental states get reflected back to us through the surrounding world, then it follows that we should become increasingly aware of what we think. The Buddha said that once our thoughts fall into alignment with quality of sattva (purity, balance, harmony, peace and sweetness) then we will be filled with an unquenchable joy.
This requires that we stop and examine our thoughts. When we catch ourselves churning negative thoughts, phrases or reactions, we literally need to stop and reframe it in a more positive light - Stop -and "Take Two"- Start Again.
It's a funny thing though... we all want our lives to change, we want certain relationships or situations to become better and easier, but we don't want to have to be the one to change. Ironically, the only thing we really have the power to change is ourselves; more specifically, our way of thinking, our manner of speaking, and the way in which we express ourselves to others.
We have to be willing to change, or at minimum willing to consider changing, for only then will we begin to see our outer world shifting and morphing in a new direction.
If we are honest, we will notice that most of our problems originate from our own self, and our reactions to the undesirable situations around us. So guard your mind, watch what you are creating through the words you say when you think no one is listening.
When you catch yourself in a negative spiral, see if you can turn it around, think a new thought, and watch how a new vibration starts to grow within your life.
You might even find a little more joy along the way!
Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or non believing, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference.
~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV
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