The Secret of Your Unhappiness?

In my personal life and experiences, I recognizethree confusions,

1. Mistaking pleasure for happiness.  Enduring happiness has a quality distinct from simple pleasure. It is not simply the maximal pleasure and minimal pain. Key components of authentic happiness include a personal sense of meaning, feeling connected with others and your world, and being at peace with your life.

2. Mistaking lust  (attraction, infatuation, craving) for love . Romantic love and infatuation can be exciting, intoxicating … and psychotic. When we are in the throes of romantic love, it’s like our emotional brains on drugs; reality is distorted, and the illusion doesn’t last. Falling out of this kind of love is like withdrawal. Enduring love is of a total different quality; it’s more a spiritual than emotional experience.

3. Mistaking self  (the ego) for soul . The little self is changing and aging; it is the transient mask for your soul. What may seem good for the ego may not be good for your soul.

4 months ago  /  6 notes