Would you be surprised to learn that we live simultaneously in two parallel worlds?
 
One is the external world that we experience – everything outside of our Self. In this external world, everything we experience is bound by time. It is a world full of constriction and regulation, of barriers and difficulties.
 
The other world is the subtle world within our Self. It is timeless and expansive, full of freedom and true purpose. In this world of timelessness, we can see reality as eternal and we become non-divisive and unified with all. In this realm, it is easy being in the present and our senses can flow freely without boundaries. Our mind becomes quiet and our brain can function as it is mean to: at its peak capacity.
 
Yet much of the time, we become stuck in the mundane world alone, and our mind becomes trapped by our little self whose main objective is to create division and a sense of separation. When our little self keeps us focused on the external, it controls us and all our thinking, feeling, and actions. Under the time-bound nature of our little self and this external world, we live within a chain of lies - we are under the illusion that we are free thinkers and that we have no limitations; that whatever we are imagining is coming from freedom. In reality, our little self is keeping us from true freedom and limitless thinking and being.
 
Most of the time we are unaware of all of this. We do not recognize that our mind is caught in the realm of time and space. We do not understand that this external world ruled by the smaller self controls our thoughts, emotions, and feelings. We do not realize that when we struggle with living under the influence of fear, regret, guilt, blame, and shame, it is because we have given all the power to our smaller self.

Now that B.C. is starting to re-open, and pandemic policies are being adapted once again, do you find yourself wondering how quickly you can get back to “normal”? The way you lived before COVID? Many are in that same place – you are not alone.
 
But it is important for us to pause and to think – what was our previous normal? Was it judgmental, justifying, and condemning? What can our new normal be now? Did we learn and grow during the pandemic? Were we able to pause, reflect and choose new ways?
 
In truth, we should not go back to our previous normal. We have been given the chance to improve. To re-enter society in a new way. To be aware of our ever-flowing thoughts, feelings, and action that we experience every day and to act accordingly, rather than acting out of habit.
 
We know sometimes it seems like more work to be aware, watch, pause, and bring attention to everything we do, see, or feel. And maybe we don’t event know how to. Maybe we don’t believe we have the ability to experience our senses without any attachment to our thoughts and feelings. Or we don’t realize that our actions are superficial responses of our mind. We identify ourselves with the pleasure and pain of the mind, not knowing that life can be different.
 
In fact, we resist the opportunity to see that life can be different if we stop resisting change – which we do unconsciously whenever we feel as though something is being pulled out from under us and changing without our consent. In truth, we are living in mental pandemic state and have been for a long time; we simply don’t realize it. Our minds are so isolated that we can’t be open enough to see the magnanimity in change. The beauty in it. And we block our creativity with repetition and continuing to get back to the same old patterns.
 
We fail to understand that there is a Higher Power guiding us to a higher level of consciousness where we can see, hear, smell, taste and touch things in a different way. When we are connected inwardly in a profound manner, we feel secure all the time and embrace the inevitable change to awaken to the reality of things. We will understand how to welcome change and connect deeper to our higher presence to feel more secure.
 
So, the question is what do you want to put back into your life?
 
If you can do the work of answering this question and of putting in the effort day by day to learn to be aware and attentive to everything that we do, see and feel in order to make conscious decisions about how you want to act on it, then you enter a brand new world – a new level of consciousness. And suddenly you will realize that there is creativity, beautiful new beginnings, a profound sense of freedom, and true inner peace in this self-awareness.
 
We invite you to join us for our Monthly Meditation on Sunday May 31st via Zoom as we explore and discuss about building self-awareness through the gift of working with the divine presence, rather than against it.
 
At the Happyness center our main aim is to help you develop mindfulness and deeper awareness of your inner self. We learn to see ourselves in silent observation and enquiry rather than act from the noisy activity outside.
 
We all lead busy lives, and meditation can help us relax and renew. We will share, learn, and practice together. Group meditations has many advantages that can reinforce our desires of daily practice that inspires us and others.

​When all of this is over – when businesses re-open, families are reunited, and friends gather again - will we go back to doing the same things as before? Will our lives go back to normal? Will it be business as usual?
 
This global pandemic has caused a time of questioning and discomfort in almost all of humanity. Collectively we feel uncomfortable in this time of change and the unknown. We feel fearful and anxious. We wish with all our beings that things could remain the same. We wonder and question whether someone or something is controlling all of us – whether a system or a higher power.
 
We find ourselves resisting change. We feel as though the rug is being pulled out from under us and we fight it with everything we have. Maybe we don’t listen to the isolation rules so that we can feel a sense of normalcy. Or we find ways to numb ourselves and not think about what is happening – not accept it. We all have our own particular ways of reistance.
 
But change is normal. We know this. We understand that every day we experience change – some minor and some life-altering, as in the case of what we are experiencing now. We also know we cannot resist it. That change is inevitable. But still we try.
 
Our response to change continues to be habitual. We act within our old patterns and ways because it’s what we know – it’s what feels safe in this time of uncertainty.

​The hustle and bustle of the world is finally quiet. Our restless society is finally calm, and restless people have gradually halted. This virus has lowered our proud head and we’ve been made to slow down, giving us the opportunity to be able to think quietly and ask more questions. Questions such as:
 
Upon reflection, do you still feel we are kings and queens of the Earth or have we felt the power of Nature once again?

Why is that every time we face an uncertainty (individually or globally), we automatically go into fear mode and feel anxious? Is that normal or abnormal behavior?  

Are greedy hearts being purified by the virus? Including our own?

The pandemic has also changed our day to day life significantly and that is, and has the possibility, to have a profound impact on our lives, relationships, families, attitudes, beliefs, and desires moving forward.

Those who have been running all their life and spending their time in pursuits of various activities have been driven home by the virus, being told to stay home.

There are fewer and fewer people on the street and fewer cars on the road. The haze of pollution is receding - the air is becoming fresher, the sky bluer, the sun brighter.

Family lives are getting warmer, and harmony is increasing.  People's heart are becoming more and more calm.
 
Those who haven’t read for years, have picked up books at home. Parents and children who had no communication with each other and couples who could speak only few words a year, have opened up conversation boxes and begun to transform relationships. Children who did not know how to respect the elderly, or who rarely saw their parents have begun to feel seen and have also begun to be loving and devoted.

In the face of the pandemic, I hope humanity has begun to reflect INWARD with some seriousness, and begun to realize that a lack of an awe-inspiring social atmosphere will lead to more harm and more risks. We have taken our world - natural, material and social - for granted for too long.

The virus is giving us the opportunity to learn as human beings a vivid and profound lessons - some unique to each one of us as we re-evaluate our personal lives, and some that are cross-cultural and all-encompassing.

It certainly is leading many of us to understand how to live with awareness, appreciation of what we have, and has reminded us to be in awe of all we have. It has shown us that our normal before the pandemic was part of the "good times".  It has reminded us to feel true love to Mother Earth. It is making us gradually fall in love with ourselves and our lives.

So what happens when this is all over? For it will end.
 
When we return back on the Road, will we learn anything at all from this monstrous virus? Will we, and should we, be grateful to this "enemy" who is giving us these reminders, and teaching us resilience and empowerment?
 
What does this virus want from us? Does it need to see us cultivating good human habits? Will the virus continue to come back to prove that our Human love has the power to keep the virus away and until we have learned the lessons we need to as a global human race?
 
I guess only time will tell us everything. Time will also prove what is right.
 
What I do know for certain is that the virus has reminded us that there is a higher power who is watching and protecting us, but at the same time waiting for us to learn, understand, and grow from the inside.
 
Namaste
- Sri Madhu Sai -

With growing global concerns around COVID-19, our Happyness Center team takes your health and safety seriously. We feel it is of utmost importance to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our Happyness community and all of humanity.
 
As your business and shops are closed and you begin to work at home, future jobs are cancelled, you stay in isolation, or whatever your unique experience right now may be, remember that you’re held in this moment by a higher power. We must never forget the fact that we are being held and supported by something greater than ourselves; especially in moments when it seems the exact opposite is true.
 
Now is a time of great uncertainty for everyone. The future is unknown and that leads many of us to experience a great deal of stress, anxiety, worry and fear.

How many of us want to only focus on positive energy and dismiss negative thoughts? To run and hide, avoid, brush under the rug or ignore uncomfortable or painful thoughts, emotions and experiences? (Hint: everyone)
 
Our human consciousness has dual experiences that are inevitable - the happy and positive, as well as the sad and negative ones. To be human is to experience the good and the bad, and that actually is a beautiful thing. If we can learn to experience both energies without separating them as good and bad, we can experience the totality of our Consciousness – which is astounding in its beauty.
 
But many never get to experience this beauty. Why? Because we live in a society in which we are told to put our efforts to experience only pleasant experiences. We are taught to ignore, shove, and hide the unpleasant experiences – to avoid them at all costs because they are uncomfortable. We are given the impression and taught the belief (consciously and unconsciously) that negative thoughts have no purpose in our lives. We are told to overpower our happy memories and remove the negative memories. We are even told never to talk about the sad moments even if they are real.
 
We must pause and ask ourselves – Is it possible to experience one without the other? Can you truly experience joy if you never experience suffering? Can you know true happiness without sadness?
 
Maybe we are not given the right understanding about the purpose of negative moments in life, and we are not educated on how to deal with them. We are irrationally expected to push them away, ignore, or hide them under the carpet because someone believed or said that negative thoughts have no use in our lives.
 
To be whole is to embrace all the aspects of us. It is not just enjoying part of us that we like about ourselves but rather, and more importantly, it is allowing the dark part of our consciousness to emerge from inside and allow itself to express fully. We must encircle those qualities, emotions and experiences from which we have been running and continue to run from.
 
In our meditation practice this month, we will encounter and connect with our whole being by identifying and understanding the dark side along with the bright side to feel connected to our entire being.
 
We invite you to join us in this practice during our Monthly Meditation at our Happyness Center on Sunday February 23rd from 10:30AM – 12:00PM (optional discussion period from 12 – 12:30).
 
At the Happyness center our main aim is to help you develop mindfulness and deeper awareness of your inner self. We learn to see ourselves in silent observation and enquiry rather than act from the noisy activity outside.
 
We all lead busy lives, and meditation can help us relax and renew. We will share, learn, and practice together. Group meditations has many advantages that can reinforce our desires of daily practice that inspires us and others.

​Are you kind to yourself? Are you loving towards others?
 
Success in life, and true happiness, always begins with being happy with our self.  Only when we are happy with our self can we manifest what we are seeking in our life.
 
Many times though, our happiness is dependent on material things – what we own, the money in our bank account, the things we can touch and feel. We also often base our happiness on others - we depend emotionally on others for love, recognition, validation and approval. We cling to the belief (often unknowingly), that being something or somebody in someone else’s eyes will make us feel worthy and important, and therefore, happy.
 
In doing so, we never take control of our lives completely. We give control of our happiness to things and people that we cannot control. Sometimes, our mind gives us a false belief that somehow, we are still managing to be in control, and we live in that illusion. And we will continue to live with this false sense of control, and unknowingly attaching ourselves to someone or something until we recognize how much we depend on that person or object for our happiness.

Our mind argues with us over this: what is wrong with depending on someone or something when that is giving us security and happiness? The truth is, there is nothing right or wrong with this inherently, but what we fail to recognize is that which we depend on is temporary and will diminish at some point, thus it cannot be trusted or relied upon. Sooner or later, a day or time will come where we don’t feel fulfilled and complete. That person or thing we depended on is now no more with us, not enough for us, because it/they is/are temporary. We then begin our search for happiness again, pursing it elsewhere – in another desired object/job/adventure or a new person. And the more that we do this, the more unhappy we become; our search to find lasting happiness becomes more increasingly difficult and painful, for us and those we have depended on and then abandoned.
 
This is why is it essential to seek for the love and kindness within. Only when we learn to look within ourselves for what we crave can we experience true and lasting happiness. Only then can we truly be kind and give to others, because we are no longer seeking relationship with them out of our own selfish ambitions (to satisfy our own happiness), but we are seeking to have a giving relationship with them in which we can simply enjoy and love that person as they are, with no expectations. Only then can we begin to experience “enough”.
 
This is a very difficult transition for us as humans to make though, so how can it be done?
 
We invite you to join us for our upcoming Monthly Meditation on Sunday, January 26th where we will discuss this loving kindness towards self and others, and how to look within to find lasting happiness.
 
At the Happyness center our main aim is to help you develop mindfulness and deeper awareness of your inner self. We learn to see ourselves in silent observation and enquiry rather than act from the noisy activity outside.
 
We all lead busy lives, and meditation can help us relax and renew. We will share, learn, and practice together. Group meditations has many advantages that can reinforce our desires of daily practice that inspires us and others.

When was the last time you used the word “love”? It was likely within recent memory – within a day, an hour or possibly even moments before reading this.
 
We say: “I love my wife/husband/partner/child;” “I love that book;” “I love those shoes;” “I love that mountain;” “I love feeling ____;” “I love God;” “I love that show;” “I love this country;” and so on and so on. We use the word love liberally and often without much thought.
 
We think we know what it means, but do we? If we can use it in reference to such a wide array of people and things, can we really mean it? What do we mean by it?
 
The truth is, we likely don’t love a television show as much as we love our spouse or partner (and least one would hope not), but we use the word in both contexts. The reality is, is that the word “love” has become loaded, generalized, and corrupted. Sometimes we cultivate, nourish and cherish it, and mean it in our hearts when we speak it. But other times we push it around and twist it to suit our speech, and use it without any true meaning behind it.
 
So then, what is love, truly? And is there only one kind of love?
 
Human love - between two beings or a being and a thing - is full of pleasure, and joy but also competition, jealousy, desire to possess, and control.
 
Divine love on the other hand is pure, beautiful, untouched, and uncorrupted.
 
But can we divide love into Human and Divine? Or is there only love? Is love personal or impersonal? Moral or immoral? Family or non-family? Is love a sentiment? Or is love an emotion?
 
To go into the question of what love is we must first free it and put away all ideals and ideologies of what it should or should not be. We must remove our personal beliefs and experiences of love so that we can see it for what it is.
 
For thought cannot possibly cultivate love – love is not a thought or a belief. It is.

It is experienced, felt and seen. Love is always active present. It is not ‘I will love’ or ‘I have loved’ (though you can have memories and experiences in which you felt or experienced love). It simply, is.
 
 When we can learn to see what love truly is, we can begin to experience it and share it in new, meaningful ways that bring us closer to the Divine.
 
We invite you to join us at our final Monthly Meditation for 2019, we join together to discuss what love is, and how we can experience it and true joy in our lives as we head into the new year.
 
****

We all lead busy lives, and meditation can help us relax and renew. We will share, learn, and practice together. Group meditations has many advantages that can reinforce our desires of daily practice that inspires us and others.
 
At the Happyness center our main aim is to help you develop mindfulness and deeper awareness of your inner self. When we can learn to see ourselves in silent observation and enquiry rather than act from the noisy activity outside, we are able to find true happiness and stillness.

Connecting with the Happyness Centre is connecting with a community of people who want you to thrive as your happiest, healthiest and most radiant self! 
 
I first found the Happyness Centre when I was looking for ways to add more depth to my yoga and meditation practice. Over the years, I had the great fortune of taking several of Yvette Lehman's yoga classes at other studios around Kamloops, and I guess you could say I followed her to the Happyness Centre (and I'm so deeply grateful that I did!)...continues below.