The secret to happiness (part IV)

This post further elaborates a point made at a previous entry, that “The only real tangible solution to both facing fear and gaining happiness, is to learn to be a 100% present in the moment.“ Click here if you wish to read this mini-series of posts starting at the very first entry.

As explained in previous posts in this series, we were made to believe that fear stands in our way to happiness; and that not before we conquer fear will we find the Golden Key. Yet our misunderstanding of fear, which is actually a great teacher, causes us much pain and grief. What then should one do to face fear without prejudice, as well as find a path to happiness?

All issues related to fear and control go away once we learn to be a 100% present in the moment. Why? Because in the moment there can be no real terror; dread is but a fruit of our overactive mind. In the moment there is only what there is – you, me and the reality as it is, not as it is imagined. And that is really, for the most part, not that scary. Not only isn’t it scary, it is beautiful; a bubbling spring of happiness. When this is realized, the notion of “be in command, not in control,” comes handy. It is an old piece of advice that appeared in various adages since ancient times. We cannot govern the environment (though God knows how much we continue trying…) but we can, with some practice and preparation of body and mind, control how we respond to events life throws our way. We can learn to command our response and nothing else; like a trained driver on a slippery road, or like an expert martial artist averting a punch, or even a seasoned politician tackling an embarrassing question…

How, you might rightfully inquire, can one prepare body and mind for such events? My next post will provide suggestions, concluding this mini-series.

Learned from: A lifetime journey and a yearlong blogging.