COURSE
The Work
Are you arguing with what is? When the mind is perfectly clear, "what is‚" is what we want. But, if you really want reality to be different than it is, you might as well try to teach a cat to bark, a bird to swim, or a fish to run. No matter your effort, arguing with the basic nature of reality is hopeless. If you pay attention, you'll notice you indulge in thoughts like this all day: "People should be kinder.‚" "Children should behave.‚" "My spouse should agree with me.‚" "I should be thinner, prettier, and more successful." These thoughts are ways of wanting reality to be different than it is, and they introduce pain into our lives. When we embrace and accept what is, we inevitably overflow with joy.
Happiness is closer to the experience of acceptance and contentment than it is to pleasure. True happiness exists as the spacious and compassionate heart’s willingness to feel whatever is present.
