Happiness

[Guest guest]

Dearest Alice,

What a gift to wake up to this morning: your understanding of what it

is to be happy.

The bird in my heart sings in appreciation!

The Dalai Lama also says the purpose of life is to be happy, so we are

in good company.

And the notion of sharing your happiness with the Divine Guest is also

found in Buddhism, as in this teaching by Lama Zopa:

Practising Dharma in Everyday Life

Waking Up: In the morning when you wake up, visualise the

Buddha on the crown of your head and think " How fortunate

I am that so far I have not died. Again today I have the

opportunity to take the essence of this human rebirth which

has so many freedoms and richnesses. The great essence to

be taken from this opportunity is to practice bodhicitta -

the mind that is dedicated to attaining enlightenment for

the benefit of all sentient beings " Then make a sincere

request to the Buddha: " Whether my life is happy or painful,

may whatever actions I do with my body, speech and mind

always become only the cause to lead quickly the pitiful

mother sentient beings throughout infinite space to

enlightenment. "

The Buddha melts

into light, which flows down through your crown to your

heart, blessing, inspiring and transforming your mind.

Think " I have all of the Buddha's qualities " . Then imagine

a small Buddha of light appears at your heart. Throughout

the day, think of the Buddha constantly. In this way, you

will become mindful of what you do, say and think, as you

will be aware of the Buddha witnessing it.

Whatever sense objects you enjoy during the day - clothes,

music, beautiful scenery and so foth - think that you are

offering them to the Buddha who is at your heart. In this

way you are continuously making offerings to the Buddha,

thus creating a great store of positive potential. Also,

you will become less attached to sense pleasures and will

begin to enjoy them with a peaceful mind.

With love to all,

Judy