The Most Direct Path to Happiness in 2 Steps

You won’t find happiness if you look for it.

Yet, we all are looking for it.

Even if some of us place other people’s needs above our own, ultimately they do it for their own happiness.

We all have different ideas on how to get to this ultimate goal. Happiness. Some look for it in material objects, careers, and money. Others crave relationships and recognition. Others look for activities, parties, states of mind, or substances.

I’ve tried all of them. They’ve all failed me.

What we all have in common is that we search for happiness knowingly or unknowingly.

The fact that we search for it expresses a lack or suffering that lies underneath.

But we don’t typically get to discover this lack or suffering because we are too busy escaping the discomfort i.e. by searching for happiness in other places.

Some of us question where our unhappiness comes from. And then we think it’s because we don’t have that desired object or substance.

This is why almost nobody tracks unhappiness back to its original cause.

And we can’t blame ourselves. Because once we acquire the object, relationship, or whatever we were looking for we do experience joy for a short period. We trick our brain into thinking, Yes, this is what I needed.

And then the cycle starts again.

Living under this paradigm, we cannot achieve long-lasting, unconditional happiness.

So what’s the solution to this dilemma?

It’s painfully simple.

It’s what Rupert Spira describes as Being Aware of Being Aware.

Some refer to it as enlightenment.

Many believe enlightenment is a long process only achievable by the selected few meditating for years.

They’re wrong. It’s accessible to anyone at any time.

It’s about learning how to let everything go and connect to your true self.

Here are 2 steps you can do anytime to get there. This will take some practice.

The sun in the hand of a person who is practicing the most direct path to happiness

…

Step 1: Become aware of the present moment

There is no need to start a formal meditation. Just pause for a minute and become aware.

Take a second. Breathe. Feel your body.

Become aware of your breath expanding your abdomen.

Become aware of any sounds around you and just accept them.

Become aware of your thoughts and just accept them. You can worry about them later.

Become aware of any emotions and feelings. Just observe and accept them.

Become aware of your body.

Step 2: Become aware of being aware

Now, let go of everything and just notice your awareness.

Awareness is like the screen in the cinema. Our thoughts, feelings, body sensations, etc. are like the movie on the screen.

Just like the screen in the cinema, awareness is always present even when we don’t pay attention to it.

But we can always come back to it.

You cannot direct awareness anywhere. It just is. We can only get there by letting go.

That’s why the Direct Path to Awareness is also referred to as a Pathless Path.

The highest form of meditation is not something we do. It is something we cease to do. — Rupert Spira

You may ask yourself a question such as:

Am I aware?

What is it that knows or is aware of my experience?

Where do thoughts come from?

Who am I?

These questions help you with the self-inquiry that leads to awareness.

Only a few seconds at first. Until we get lost in thoughts and feelings again.

Then do it again, back to awareness. And again.

Train the muscle of awareness.

Become aware of being aware.

Who are you questions to induce the most direct path to happiness

…

Practicing awarenss is the fastest way to detatch ourselves from any negative thoughts or stress.

It’s what the buddhists, indian mystics and yogis and other ancient traditions all teach in their own ways and wording.

Once you practice this (it comes pretty fast) it’s like having another sense.

Now you can fully embrace life with all its wonders. Another level of freedom unlocked.

All the best out there.

…

Learn how to use the power of the breath for (mental-)health.

If you decide to become a Medium member, you can use this referral link which will support me directly. Thank you!

—

This post was previously published on medium.com.

***

From The Good Men Project on Medium

What Does Being in Love and Loving Someone Really Mean?

My 9-Year-Old Accidentally Explained Why His Mom Divorced Me

The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex

The Internal Struggle Men Battle in Silence

***

Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.

All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.

A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.