1.Since
time immemorial we human beings have been trying to find the true
meaning of and also find happiness in our lives and the lives of our
loved ones. It is estimated that happiness is the most sought after
commodity in this world, followed by wealth and power. Unfortunately, we
have not been able to establish the true meaning of happiness in our
lives in spite of many Saints in the past elaborating on this commodity
and the road to happiness. What we mistake for happiness is our
possessions of material things in this world which does not give us
happiness but comfort. With comfort comes an easier life, with easier
life comes relief; relief brings smile on our faces. This is not
happiness; it is only a temporary phenomenon of relief and comfort which
should never be mistaken for happiness. When these articles of comfort
are worn out and new ones with better features appear in the market,
older ones turn an eyesore for its owners. Sooner they get rid of those
old ones and own better and more versatile ones, for them to find
happiness once again. For any common man, this remains the true
definition of happiness. No, happiness in its truest form is far from
any such material things in life. We need money, home and paraphernalia
to live, alright, but that should not be the benchmark for happiness.
The secret to finding true happiness is different, once acquired, it
remains with you till your last breath; gift that is most precious and
also free, like air, water and sunshine. The way to finding true
happiness is total simplicity of your body and mind. The secret code is
for you to unlock within you; like a number lock, unique to your very
own secret setting.
2.There is an inbuilt mechanism within each one of us, finding and
operating it to seek true happiness is only in our own hands; anytime on
attaining maturity till our last breath we should be able to find it
and use it to attain peace, happiness, and health. This gift of nature
is beyond any religion, wealth, or power. You only need to cultivate it
and put it into good use day after day and see how it grows happiness
and peace within you with each passing day.
3.The first step is to learn to see the world from a different
perspective. See yourself as a fortunate being with facilities at your
disposal which many unfortunate people and creatures are deprived of.
Learn to understand the difficulties and misfortunes of others. See
yourself as a saviour of all living beings. Respect people and
creatures, like roadside dogs, cats, cows and other animals. If you can
afford, offer them food and water. You will realise how much this first
step to success will make a difference in your life. `This first step
will awaken you to realise how much these creatures need us and how much
they appreciate your little service to them.
4.Always stay away from complicated and useless thoughts and actions.
The major cause of all diseases and malady in this world has always
been our unhealthy thoughts and ways. Simplicity of thoughts and actions
always brings true happiness because you avoid stress and excitements
which go hand in hand with evil thoughts and evil ways. People who
practice complicated ways in their lives turn old and grey faster, with
deteriorating health attached to them till their last breath. Simplicity
releases healthy hormones and this is responsible for good health, good
and pleasing personality liked by all and a healthy and ageless mind to
compliment it all.
5.The major code to unlocking in finding true happiness lies within
your heart. Saints like Jesus, The Buddha, and Mahavira were awakened
to this bright secret code. The bright codes are love, compassion,
mercy, care, and charity for all living beings including living plants
and the atmosphere which include earth, air, and water. It remains our
prime duty never to harm or disturb these atmospheric conditions for
monetary gains. When, for gains we do this, we actually harm other
living beings, disturbing their share of the healthy atmospheric
conditions.
6.All religions of the world have one common goal, to make us good
people, to believe that God is kind and merciful and we, in return,
should be kind and merciful. This is why Jesus said 18:10 “You know your
commandments, do not kill”. Does religion make us good people? No,
because religion is based upon delusion and myth, so much so that most
of us do not become good people. This comment of mine may offend many
people. OK, let us take a small example. USA is a country of the
Christians, the Roman Catholics, and the staunchest sect among the
Christians. USA, like China, is foremost in killing, man and animals
alike. The Christians there are ruthless and violent. See the animal
abuse in the farms, how cows and pigs are beaten with chains and rods.
See the hangings of the criminals, torture to the blacks, torture and
merciless killings of the inmates in Iraq. Would Jesus do these acts? As
Christians, how can they do it? Do they follow the Christ? The answer
is in front of you. Same goes for the Arab nations, brother killing
brother is shocking, and by the day, with people turning more religious,
violence is increasing worldwide. So not religion but our own
realisation can only transform us into become good and kind people.
7.When I said violence is increasing worldwide, I also mean another
secret code to true happiness. We need to respect all living beings,
including animals. We need to lead a vegetarian life. We need to avoid
flesh of any living being. We need to avoid milk in excess as our food.
We need to stop the use of honey, collection of which is a criminal act.
Honey bee collects honey as their winter provision; we steal it away
from them, the same way someone withdraws money from our savings using a
fake credit card. OK, most of you will be offended when I suggest you
to turn vegetarian. Let me give you an example. War, rape, murder,
senseless killing, mass killing, violence, excessive anger, torture, and
intimidation including terrorism has one thing in common- all people
involved are non-vegetarians. This phenomenon is the curse of the dying
animals which finds its flesh on our dinner table. At 63 years of age, I
have been studying this phenomenon, starting my own people, friends and
relatives, down to the country people and the world at large, I see the
consumption of animals as our food is increasing by the day with an
equal increase in the nature and intensity of violence generated by the
increasing consumption of animal flesh. The truth is in front of you, I
can only point it out to you.
8.Did you ever stop to show some love to the rodents and the lizards
that take shelter somewhere in your home? How awful, how crazy to
suggest this. If you find this suggestion crazy and awful, believe me
you are heading towards some disease. This is a hard fact which I have
observed in so many years. People who detest and prefer to kill house
pests like the domestic rodents, rats, mice and lizards lean more
towards some disease. Yes, I feed all the rats and lizards every
evening, keeping biscuits in bits and pieces under my gas oven and the
window sill. The most moving scene is, they wait for their evening meals
with beady eyes and do not run away on seeing me. I talk to them too.
Strange enough these rats never nibble into all what is kept on the
dinner table or any provision kept elsewhere in the kitchen. They never
nibble our clothes too. Now they are like family members! Morning, I
feed all the crows, cats, mine as well as the neighbourhood ones,
pigeons. They have all turned my friends and know me. The feeling is
ecstatic and very joyful, with a surge in healthy hormones in my body.
What else a man can ask for when nature brings such joyful moments in
our lives each morning and evening. We only deprive ourselves of such
joyful moments by neglecting and hating such unfortunate living beings,
which are deprived of love, food, shelter, and security. Remember, they
too are the creations of the same nature that created us on this planet.
Did you ever stop to talk to a crow or a roadside dog, cat or a cow?
See how they respond on offering them biscuits while talking to them. If
each one of us did this every day of our life, this planet would turn
so healthy, brimming with love, joy and care for each other. Diseases,
anger, disappointments, and negativity would all disappear from our
lives. The intensity of senseless shooting, terrorism and hatred would
certainly go down if not completely disappear.
9.Meditate, whenever you can. You need not keep long beard, wear lose
gowns or keep an unkempt hair or go to the jungles to meditate.
Meditate before sleeping, on waking, in the bus, while waiting for
someone in the waiting room or while walking. You will find answers to
so many questions as well as it would turn you towards reality rather
than any religious way. Reality is the base for finding peace and
happiness. For instance, God is good and kind, loves us and sent us
fruits, flowers and made our world so sweet. Should we buy this story?
The same God sends us earthquakes, lightning, thunder storm, flood,
famine, malady, reptiles, beasts, and predators to kill us. So, the
quicker you turn yourself towards reality of this life, the quicker you
accept the hard facts of life and start to believe in yourself rather
than in any religion or God. I wonder if the school children who got
crushed when their school roof collapsed in the famous Indonesian
earthquake were singing “Thank you God for the world so sweet”. Most of
our doctrines are based upon whims handed down to us since our
forefathers. Our duty is to correct those and delve deep into the
reality of this universe. When we succeed in doing this we actually
succeed in finding true happiness, followed by peace and good health of
body and mind.
10.As a member of this planet and this society, it is imperative I
contribute towards the benefit of mankind. In line with the Chinese
proverb, I can show you where to see, it is up to you what to see. May
happiness, good health, and peace always be with you and your family.
For further details please contact me:
Eric Ershad Hossain Buddhadharma
zennliving@gmail.com
www.zennliving.blogspot.in,
www.zennhappiness.blogspot.in
