The day has dawned when the
day has begun with us, and when it has begun with us, it has dawned, whether it
has begun with anyone else or not. Sunrise in the east is not paused by midnight
in the west. But it is in the nature of light to shine and so wise practices put into effect will spread their benefit abroad to others. As this
fire feeds on the fuel of the universe, it will shine and send forth light.
The light is first of all
happiness, which arises as a desire for happiness, the setting of the
highest possible joy as a goal. In order for this joy to be real and full and in
the world, it must arise in combination with acceptance of reality in the world.
This acceptance is simultaneously also a freedom and purification from all
superstition.
The quest for the highest possible joy reaches out for the
resources of this world so that it may be achieved. It knows that it must use
only natural resources. Supernatural resources, which are only supposed to
exist, but do not really exist, would not be able to give rise to a real and
full joy in the world. Supernatural belief might only give rise to a delusional,
or accidental, happiness, so instead we turn to the natural resources, the resources
of the world.
The decision to reach for the
greatest possible happiness is an exciting decision. It is daring because it no
longer fools itself with substitutes or wishful thinking or delaying. It says:
the greatest possible joy now, today, and here! By committing to happiness by the
resources of the world, you are committing to do whatever it takes yourself,
rather than expecting someone else to do it for you. You do not proceed with
supernatural guarantees of success, but you do proceed with the
much stronger natural assurance that the resources you use are maximally
effective when you understand them and use them properly.
You are the one who can
make this decision for happiness in the world. You are the one who can prepare your
mind and your body through right understanding and practice. You are the one who
can understand the world, be aware of the world, and appreciate the world. There
is reason for hope, and you are the
one who can achieve a better future for yourself and those around you. When you have made this commitment to yourself, a new day has
indeed dawned.
Dedication and Understanding
245-2527 J.D.
Today is always the only day we
have. No other day or time is promised to us by anyone who can promise it and no
other day or time is guaranteed to us by the repetitive course of usual events.
Even if we will have another day, today is the only day in which we can act. So
today is the day and now is the time to enjoy the fullness of life and continue
with hope.
Though we live in hope, nevertheless
we do not look to the past or to the future or to any unreal thing for the
guarantee of our meaning and the living out of the purposes of our lives. We
look instead directly to the present moment and to the resources of the world.
The achievements of the moment, in relation to the moment,
are indestructibly timeless. The happiness and fulfillment of a moment's smile,
an act of kindness, or spontaneous thoughts of loved ones are of infinite and
equal weight and significance compared to any future or past circumstance. This
victory of realized joy is a real victory. It is something that has been
achieved, not merely a wish for the future or a memory of what is no more.
It is by living deliberately and to
the present in this way that we are liberated from the fear of what
tomorrow may bring, cleared of all regrets in one single moment. Those who fully
seek to realize themselves in happiness by the resources of the world experience life
to its limit, a limit that is continually being explored and extended. Those who
do this are the
instantiation of the world's hope for joy; they are the realization of
happiness.
When we live in this happiness, we do not subordinate one thing to another, or subordinate anything to
any imaginary transcendence. We are able to see the fullness of meaning and
value of all people and things so that we do not sacrifice one of them for
another's sake. It is by preserving the resources of our world that we continue
to have access to their benefit.
Because of the absolute perspective, we can identify with
all things and understand their interrelatedness. Because of the relative
perspective, we strive to preserve what is different, the other which will never
be the same. We look with sadness upon those who love death and who wish to
destroy the world.
Escaping from Immersion
245-2548 J.D.
When we are immersed
in our lives in the world, we are living without awareness, without
mindfulness, without our full strength, and without hope.
We are capable of living
automatically, in a sense, like other animals do without the benefit of
our ability to be conscious and metaconscious (conscious of our own conscious
processes). However, when we live in this manner we do not live up to the full
potential of being human. We are not fulfilled in the full realization of our
personalities.
Escaping from immersion means
rising from this sunkenness in affairs and bodily and mental habits and
conditioning. It means taking advantage of our ability to have perspective on
ourselves and our lives, to order and plan the conduct our lives out of a sense
of hope and determination. It means being mindful of ourselves and our
circumstances at all times.
When we are able to fully harmonize the
various impulses and drives of our minds, then we can be guided and led by the
vision of a better future and the great value of those people and things we
treasure most in the present. It is then that our existence is exalted above
the subhuman. Even when we rest, or engage in recreation, we can be mindful of the
time and the purpose. Doing so gives our lives great dignity.
