The Entry Point of Happiness
Wherever you are is the entry point.
-Kabir-
Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.
-Chuang Tzu -
These two brief quotes were each recent “Word for the Day” on Grateful Living. Kabir was an Indian mystic and poet. He reportedly lived to be 120 years old–in the 1400’s and early 1500’s. Chuang Tzu, also known as Zhang Zhou, was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE. He lived to be in his eighties.
These two writers lived two-hundred years between them, in times that were far different than our world today, yet give us words that we can take into our hearts, and into our day today, in 2024 CE.
What would it be like to live to age 120? It is not something many will experience. In today’s world, those decades would bring so much change in technology, countries and their borders, how we work and live day to day.
What would it have been like to live 2400 years ago? There were conflicts and philosophical advances then that impacted the trajectory of human history.
These two humans were held in the same gravity field you and I are. They breathed in some of the same molecules that float around our atmosphere today. If these things are true, and they are, perhaps we can bring our open minds and hearts to their words, human to human.
“Wherever you are is the entry point.” Here. Present. Tuned in. Paying attention. The past is gone. Let it go, but bring the important lessons with you. And the love. Always bring the love. The future isn’t here yet. Don’t waste energy on worrying about it. Keep the energy here and now.
Entry point. These words invite curiosity and also courage. Both can serve us well each day.
“Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.” Such wisdom in these simple words. So many of us are so busy striving, striving, striving that we never arrive at a place of contentment. It eludes us.
It’s not eluding us. We are eluding it. Happiness is right here, right now. In the company of my husband, fresh coffee, the birds singing outside the windows.
It is right here, as I look up at the same sky Kabir and Chuang Tzu did.
