"The total amount of happiness that exists in the world has come from my wanting to make others happy. The total amount of unhappiness that exists in the world has come from wanting to make myself happy".

Relentless self-interest the plagues us all, forming the basis of almost every thought we think, word we utter and action we take. It is this very self-interest that our culture ASSURES us will make us happy. Just look out for Numero Uno and all will be roses. But this all-consuming self-interest, it ends up, is the sole cause for our UNHAPPINESS! Can you believe it???

Master Shantideva should know, because he was an enlightened being. You'll notice that every enlightened being, whatever the tradition, spends their mortal lives looking after the welfare and well-being of others, ALL THE TIME, WITHOUT A BREAK.

Why is this? Are they stupid? Not cut out for the real world? Excessively moral? Weirdly selfless?

No. They watch out for the welfare of others because they have seen the nature of reality directly. They have seen where happiness comes from. Not a lot of pill-popping, therapy-seeking, martini-drinking realized beings out there, crushing competitors in their field, complaining about their parents, protecting their investments and circling the wagons everyday. They know that every self-interested action only brings UNHAPPINESS. So why would they do something that only brings unhappiness? They don't.

We do, though. Spend some time today thinking, speaking and acting for the benefit of someone OTHER THAN YOURSELF. Take Master Shantideva's words to heart, understand the truth of them, put your faith in them.

In the end, who do you want to be?

Btw, a new online class is up on Podbean.

Love,
Kelly