Be happier right now 6-23-2018

Want to be happy? Joyful ? Fully Contented?

Just let go of everything that does not feel like being happy, joyful or fully contented. What’s left will be your natural state of happy-joy-contentment.

Although this is a rather easy instruction it does require some practice.

Ask yourself these three questions*: “Am I as happy as I would like to be right now?”

Then ask, “What is blocking my happiness?”

The next question is the most difficult

“Can I be with that?” or “Can I be with whatever it is that is blocking my happiness?”

We have all been happy.   We all know what being happy feels like. And we know what it feels like when we are no happy. So the first question is not what is happiness or not even what does happiness feel like but simple are you as happy as you would like to be right now? A simple question with a simple answer of yes or no. The second question of what is blocking your ability to feel happy right now does require a little more introspective review. You might be thinking that you would be happy if something were different. Or if you got that job, or could take that trip or if your loved one were not sick or some other “if”.

Whatever comes to mind just note it. Then can I be with that right now. What does the “that” feel like? Is it a thought, an emotion, a feeling, a sensation? What is the “that” and can you be with it?   Is the thought, feeling sensation so strong that you resist allowing it to be felt?

Does it seem to be an immovable object? If you would like to be happy you may try this next suggestion.

Shift your awareness into your body. Breathe in and feel the sensation in the middle of your chest. As you breathe in feel your chest or abdomen moving. Feel the change in pressure as your body expands with the incoming breath. Feel the shift with the inflow of oxygen into your lungs. Feel the release of pressure as you breathe out. Do this for a few breaths and allow your awareness to shift into the sensation within your body as you become more grounded. Next notice the space around you. The temperature and sounds of the room you are in. If sitting or standing notice the sensation of the pressure of your feet or butt that are holding you up. After a moment or two gather a sense of just being present in this moment possibly expanding your awareness into an image of being on the earth floating is space.

Return to the “that” and see if you are more able to be with it. Is there something else beneath that blockage? Repeat the above exercise and notice if you are any happier.   With practice you will be able to become aware of your ability to notice your happiness level and your new ability to shift to greater happiness, joy or being fully contented.

*Three questions based on Beyond Happiness by Ezra Bayda