The Key to Happiness: Understanding the Way the Mind Works

      

By Barbara Berger

Barbara Berger Ask yourself what is actually preventing you from being happy right now, right this very moment? If you are honest with yourself, you will probably say it’s because you don’t have what you want. You will probably say that the only thing that is preventing you from being happy right now is wanting something you don’t have. This could be better health, a partner who’s more understanding, more money in the bank, or a nicer apartment, or a million and one other things. But whatever it is, it’s something you don’t have at this very moment in time. And this is what’s making you unhappy right now. Isn’t this true? Isn’t it true that you’re unhappy right now because you feel there is something you are lacking? What else could possibly make you unhappy at this very moment? It can only be the thought of what you don’t have. Because what else is there? You are sitting here right now, reading this. And what’s wrong with that? The only thing that can be wrong with this moment is your own dissatisfaction with what is. It has to be this because there is absolutely nothing else is going on. And this brings us to the crux of the matter which is all our experiences—every single experience we are having—is just a thought in our minds. There is reality—in other words what is—and then there are your thoughts about what is going on—and this is your experience. That’s all that is going on. You’re sitting here, reading this. Nothing else is happening. And you’re either liking what’s going on or you’re not liking it. And that’s always the case and this is always true for all of us. We live and things happen and then we think some experiences are good and other experiences are bad or at least less good. We live and things happen and then we think the experiences, events and people live up to our expectations or they don’t. And that’s what we get to live, that’s our experience. It’s as simple as that. There is nothing else going on. It’s all just thoughts in our minds. Always. All the time. Just look at your own experience. Either you are thinking you like something or you are thinking you dislike it. And that’s about it. The situations in themselves, the specific events, circumstances and people are just what they are. In and of themselves, they have no inherent value. We can like them or we don’t but they’re still just what they are. Our preferences don’t really have much to do with it at all. Life is unfolding before us, for us, and everything we see, hear, touch, taste are just the happenings of being alive. It’s our preferences that make us happy or sad. The truth of the matter is there is reality—and then there’s our thinking. And these are two different things. Now I know this is very radical stuff but it’s true nevertheless. And this brings us to the startling conclusion that you and I can lead happy lives regardless of our circumstances, regardless of what we have or don’t have. Because when we drop our interpretation of events, we find ourselves living here and now in this present moment. And that’s about it. With no stories, no comparisons, no expectations, life just is and we are just here. And what could possibly be wrong with that? And so we find, to our great and eternal delight, that at this very moment, when we drop our stories and beliefs and stand quietly in the now, we’re quite happy! We find that right this very moment everything is ok. And that strangely enough, happiness is what we are. Happiness is our nature, our natural state. So now you understand why this article and all my books are about the nature of consciousness and the mechanics of how our minds work. Because it is here you will find the key to your own happiness, the key which will set you free—regardless of your circumstances. So contemplate these things every single day of your life. If we can see and understand the mechanics of consciousness and the way the mind works and how this shapes our lives, we will find the key we’ve been looking for. And it’s not a mystery. Understanding the way the mind works is a matter of impersonal law. It’s something everyone can observe. And this means it’s something you can observe and test for yourself. So check out the things I am writing about and see for yourself if they are true or not. _____ For more about the how your mind works and the nature of consciousness, get my free e-book "The Mental Laws – Understanding the Way the Mind Works" . Just click here for the details of how to get your free ebook: www.beamteam.com/en/barbara/mentallaws.html About Barbara Berger American-born Barbara Berger is the best-selling author of “The Road to Power – Fast Food for the Soul” (published in 30 languages), “Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life” (published in 21 languages) and “The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind”. Barbara's new book, "Find and Follow Your Inner Compass – Instant Guidance in an Age of Information Overload" was recently released in the US/UK. Her books can be ordered on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com or on her Web site. Barbara lives in Copenhagen, Denmark and works as coach, helping people around the globe come into alignment with their own true power. For more about Barbara see her Web site: www.beamteam.com