...Let's say that you've managed to acquire a whole bunch of money by ripping people off. You get to buy a big, brand-new house and expensive new cars. Your whole life has apparently improved, and you appear to be happy, happy, and happy. But, perhaps, your spiritual happiness is not so good. And truthfully, if your spiritual happiness is not so good, then that will eventually erode even the outer happiness. Either you will lose what you had, or you'll become dissatisfied regardless of everything you have. Eventually, you'll no longer be happy - inwardly, outwardly, relatively or spiritually. Nothing will be enough to fill the black hole of emptiness that comes from harming somebody else to benefit yourself. Your soul knows better.

On the other hand, if you go out of your way to be righteous and kind, and in the process end up with outer lacks that cause a certain amount of outer unhappiness, then your righteousness and kindness may still bring you greater spiritual happiness, in spite of the outer challenges.

Even when things appear to be going wrong in our lives, we can maintain a connection with spiritual happiness just by living according to our highest morals and aspirations. As spiritual happiness shines from within our hearts, amazing miracles may also take place in our outer lives, eventually creating more happiness all the way around. Therefore, if you had to choose between outer happiness and spiritual happiness, my suggestion would be to choose spiritual happiness.


...more of this chapter is available in the book, "Secrets of Spiritual Happiness," by Sharon Janis.

Home Page | Contact | Site Map | Books | Links | Chanting and Devotional Singing | Inspiring Videos | Sanskrit Spiritual Scriptures | Workshops | Blog | Photographs | About the Author