Happiness is our True Nature - Ramana Maharishi

What are we ultimately looking for in this life? For most of us it’s happiness - a sense of contentment, well-being or joy. The question is how and where do we find this? Most of us we look to accomplishments, possessions, recognition from others or relationships. Of course these all have value but ultimately they are not true happiness. They are dependent of outer circumstances and impermanent. They fade away or disappear, perhaps quickly or over time. They are based on the ego-self always striving for more because the ego is at some level fearful that they will disappear.

Our True Self is not something we seek. It is who we truly are. It is always here. It is whole and complete. It welcomes everything and resists nothing. It is the space in which everything arises. It is ease, joy, freedom, a sense of well-being. There is no striving or wanting things to be different than they are. When we are living from that place we can more deeply enjoy our accomplishments, relationships and whatever arises in each moment. Material objects offer quick, tangible moments of pleasure and security. When we are gifted the opportunity to recognize the limitations of these phenomena, we begin to look inward for happiness rather than outward. Being invisible it can be difficult to recognize it or trust it. However if we are committed to shifting our focus we begin to experience this eternal, ever-present space more and more. 

Silent meditation retreats are a powerful way to begin experiencing this. A regular meditation practice, being in nature, looking at a flower or simply noticing your breath are all ways of beginning to rest in our True Nature. It’s simply a practice of letting go. As one of my teachers suggested - “Rest in Awareness” at all times. Awareness is always present and is the space in which everything arises and passes away. It is who we are. It’s the source of lasting happiness.