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Barbara Berger
If you ask yourself what is actually preventing you from being happy right now, right this very moment – what comes up? 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 missing, 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.
In other words, there is reality—what is—and then there are our thoughts about what is going on. These are two different things. And most important of all, it’s crucial to understand that our freedom and development as free beings is determined by our understanding of this mechanism. That it’s not so much what is actually going on that makes us feel the way we do, but what we are thinking and believing about what is happening that determines the way we experience what’s going on.
So yes, the vital point for you and me is that we experience things the way we do because of our thinking. So it’s not what’s happening out there that’s the problem but the way we interpret what’s happening that the decisive factor in our 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 no matter what is going on, 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 believe these experiences, events and people either 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.
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 and of themselves, the specific events, circumstances and people are just what they are. In and of themselves, they have no inherent value. They just are. We can like them or we can dislike them, but they’re still just what they are. Our preferences don’t really have much to do with it at all. Our preferences are really just reflecting the belief systems we’ve been programmed with since childhood. Which is why it’s always a good idea to look a little more closely at our belief systems and discard the beliefs that are either inappropriate or have nothing to do with reality or are preventing us from living happy lives right now.
So what’s it going to be?
Only you can decide for you.
Because again, Life is unfolding before each one of us, and everything we see, hear, touch, taste are just the happenings of being alive. It’s our preferences that make us happy or unhappy. So yes, the truth of the matter is there is reality—and then there’s our thinking. And these are two different things.
Radical stuff
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 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, if we drop our stories and beliefs for just a moment and stand quietly in the now, we’re really quite happy! We find that right this very moment everything is ok. And then perhaps we get a glimpse of the amazing fact that happiness is what we are. That happiness is our nature, our natural state.
But what exactly is it about the present moment that makes this so? The great paradox is that the moment we step out of our stories—even for just a minute—the radiance and amazing power and Presence of this Now Moment shines through. A radiance that is beyond the comprehension of our thinking minds because it is beyond our thinking. And we find that this radiance, this awesome power and presence, is our true nature. Which is why the suchness and richness of this moment turns out to be so very delightful!
Hope you are enjoying this now moment!
Blessings to you on your way!
_____
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 latest book is "Find and Follow Your Inner Compass – Instant Guidance in an Age of Information Overload". Barbara also works as coach and therapist, helping people around the globe come into alignment with their own true power. For more about Barbara see her Web site http://www.beamteam.com
** Below are titles & links to the beautiful work from Barbara. She is a long time contributor and my
dear friend :
mysticlivingtoday.com – articles by Barbara Berger
The Ultimate Self-Empowerment Tool – Your Inner Compass
http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2087
The Key to Happiness; Understanding the Way the Mind Works
http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2113
Who would you be if you didn’t know your age?
http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2147
The Power of Right Seeing
http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2177
Review of Barbara Berger’s book Find and Follow Your Inner Compass by Riki Frahmann
http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2184
Are You Here Now? Are You Happy Now?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2247
Discovering Who You Really Are
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2284
Getting in Touch with Your Heart
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2299
Follow Your Passion & Accept the Consequences
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2324
The Power of the Joyful Giver
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2359
You have nothing to deal with but your own thoughts
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2374
Radio show
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/starzcast/2018/09/26/natalie-interviews-barbara-berger--author-on-self-empowerment
Peace Is Your Nature
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2398
The Power of Contemplating Love
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2423
How Can We Serve?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2452
The Importance of Mind Management
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2472
Focus on the Real – A Way of Dealing with Worry and Catastrophic Thinking
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2499
Nothing External Can Disturb Us
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2527
Just Let Everything Be!
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2548
The Gift of Crisis
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2563
The Power of Asking for Help
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2592&fbclid=IwAR1ZK91thdusdkQTdqu0fHXgarR7Ghv7rmAjR6NypUUfLh2wv1ozLLi-HjU
What does it mean to be psychologically mature?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2625
The Meaning of Life
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2644
The Power of Praise & Blessing
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2682
Our Unalienable Rights
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2712
Meeting the Family & Keeping Your Peace of Mind
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2737
Healthy Boundaries – the Secret of Good Relationships
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2758
Healthy Parenting
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2777
Wanting What You Have
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2801
NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK POSITIVE
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2813
A Scientific Prayer to Lift Your Consciousness
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2828
Healthy Self Talk about the Body
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2850
Time Are Changing Aren’t They?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2881
Are You Following Your Inner Compass?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2904
What Happens When We Don't Listen to Our Inner Compass? https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2920
Your Right to Be You
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2961
Doing the Right Thing
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2992
Seeing Behind Impermanence
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3026
Opening Your Heart – A Prayer for the New Year
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3051
Welcome to the World of Starbrow and His Amazing Spiritual Adventures
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3050
Use This Simple, Effective Right Reaction Exercise to Tackle Stressful Moments
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3084
No Healing Without Feeling
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3102
Happiness Is an Inside Job
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3131
The Power of Joy and Laughter
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3158
Watch Out for Black and White Thinking!
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3173
The Power of Eating Less
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3217
Good Ways to Say No and Set Limits
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3242
Higher Consciousness and the Power of Nature
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3259
Gratitude for the Gift of Life
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3284
Do Not Be Bluffed by Your Body
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3297
What Is Spiritual Bypass?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3329
The Intention of Oneness
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3358
The Importance of Having a Daily Program
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3381
