Two Levels of Happiness

There are two levels of happiness:

• Temporary Happiness
• Lasting Happiness

Temporary Happiness

Much of what we experience is temporary happiness. We all try to make decisions to make our lives better. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail. When we do succeed we experience some pleasure. Unfortunately these feelings often fade and we are left with nothing but a memory. In many cases not only do the feelings wane but they are replaced with pain.

A major motivation for making poor decisions is that we want to avoid rather than deal with our deep negative feelings. We don't like being sad, empty, lonely, insecure, or lacking of a purpose.

Lasting Happiness

Our true goal is to maximize our happiness--happiness that lasts and is deep. To do that start here.

1. Learn to recognize what you feel.
2. Do not run from or try to change negative feelings.
3. Learn to sit with and tolerate the storm of your negative feelings. Feelings won't kill you. To sit with and directly face the negative feelings of life is scary. When you feel lonely, insecure, empty, a lack of purpose, or boredom, face these feelings head on rather than trying to find a way to eliminate them. Have a sort of "bring it on" attitude.

Subtle Mind

All of these leads to the real path to happiness--the subtle mind. When you can sit with your negative feelings and rest comfortably in the world of your feelings you will begin to recognize little glimpses of the deepest happiness inside yourself. Learn to recognize these and support them.