One of the biggest battles that takes place within me is the battle between right and wrong. In essence it is the battle between the heart (emotions) and the mind (thoughts). The heart can often be protected from pain by committing selfish acts. For example the daughter of a hard working single mother may rebel when introduced to the thought of her mother meeting other men. Pain is avoided and she selfishly creates an ideal situation for her heart to smile regardless of her mothers wants and needs. However the other side of the battlefield has a strategy too tactical to let the battle end that easily. The mind takes a shot and feelings of guilt become harder to suppress. The question becomes what is better: a narrow path of happiness accompanied by a noisy mind, or a guilt free mind with an aching heart?
Neither, both suck.
When we analyze the cause of war within us we see that we don't have to pick either option. One of the main reasons that people attempt to do what is right is because of the belief that good things happen to good people, whether it be labelled karma or going to heaven. Thus the belief is that if you do good things now, you will be rewarded later. This delay of gratification is a lie.
Rule of Happiness # 2: The concepts of heaven and hell are not confined to places above and below us in the afterlife. Heaven and hell can be achieved during life, everyday, through a state of mind and being.
With this mindset the battle within us becomes incredibly skewed. Doing right becomes so much easier as it now serves two purposes: 1) it eliminates feelings of guilt and 2) allows an aching heart to be healed by heaven this very day. Thus is it better to be guilt free then guilty. Heaven can cure an aching heart because heaven makes you FEEL good. Heaven cannot however CONVINCE you of your innocence. Thus the next time you have a hard decision to make do not decide to do the right thing because hopefully later on in life it will pay off. Know that doing the right thing will take you to heaven on earth today. Heaven is a feeling within you.
It is better to have wrong done on to you then to do wrong on to others. When we realize this only then will heaven be reached.
"The concepts of heaven and hell are not confined to places above and below us in the afterlife. Heaven and hell can be achieved during life, everyday, through a state of mind and being"
ReplyDeleteNever really thought of it like that.... made me think. Nevertheless, Nice post puthari.