Source of Happiness Is Within

In my early twenties when I first got clean and sober my sponsor and original spiritual mentor George S. would tell me often, “they’re not your source”. This spiritual gem from George would often be preceded by my telling him about some dramatic event where I perceived that I was either being blessed with good fortune or conversely negatively impacted by another’s actions. All misperceived to be completely out of my domain of consciousness. 

It was many years later that this truth would evolve to become not just a mental pointer but a core realization that flip-flopped my whole existence and perception of reality. Only in recent months have I fully realized the truth and magnitude of not just source but the whole of existence being within. 

This is radical and beyond concept. Many will never experience this truth at their core depth and with good reason. It is life altering for better or worse.

We can however contemplate this truth on a profound practical level that will be both beneficial and applicable to even the beginner spiritual aspirant. By nature we are taught to associate the source of feelings and emotions as “out there” from very early on. 

We fall in love with a person and erroneously believe they are the source of the euphoria and bliss we all experience when falling in love. We get a new car or gift and feel elated and assume the object is the source of feeling good and perhaps more complete and accomplished.  

The simple reality and truth of the above examples is this. All feelings, emotions, and experience are within our own consciousness. The objects only serve to bring into our awareness what we already have within us, independent of any outside source. 

Happiness and bliss are inherent in our true nature when we rest in the Self or beingness. When we are not seeking we are resting in our core. Getting the new car, the raise, the lover…. causes us to temporarily stop seeking. 

The ensuing satisfaction and elation we feel is not from attaining the outside object. It is derived simply from the stopping of seeking “out there”. We are resting. We are home. We are at peace. We are experiencing the fragrance of the Self.