As the book The Seventh System nears release, I feel happy. Not because I want to feel happy or am trying to feel happy, but because the release of the book brings me into harmony with a personal desire. I’ve been working on the book for some time, with the vision in my mind of it being completed. As physical reality and my vision align with one another, my emotional response is happiness.
One valuable way to assess whether what we say we want is what we really want is to imagine the result coming to fruition. If accomplishing what we say we want leads to honest satisfaction, the desire was authentic. I genuinely wanted to have this book completed. On the other hand, if full realization of our stated goal isn’t satisfying, it wasn’t something we truly wanted in the first place. When you’re not sure what you really want, imagine getting what you’re pursuing. Would it be satisfying? If not, perhaps you should reevaluate your goals.
Many people chase after fame, or money, or social status because they think it’s what they want, only to be disappointed when no amount of achievement in that area is enough. However much they get, they crave more. Their emotions betray what they thought they wanted. That’s why emotions are such an important guide to how to live. You can lie to yourself about idea, but feelings are always true.
Stuart, I frequently remember an incident that occured several years ago. We were both at a speach by the Dalai Lama in Boston. During the Q & A my wife and I heard a voice in back of us, which I knew was yours. At least we thought it was you. You asked a question that has stuck with me and I think about nearly every day. “What is the meaning of life” The entire audience leaned with anticipation as the Dali Lama simply responded with his answer.
“To be happy!”
It appears that you have captured that with the writing of this book. I look forward to reading it.