Had a Realization while meditating today

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While meditating this morning, I realized I can
be happy if I look at my present work as a service to others and not just a
means for an income. Also with this realization came the idea that I can be
happy if all I possessed was clothes and food for my body and shelter for sleep
and for meditation. The only other thing I would desire past these basic needs is
a place for walking meditation. Anything else I possess past that is just extra
entertainment. Distractions really. Anything else I should possess past that would
be tools or assets that may help me to further serve others. My car is needed
for now as long as my place of service is far enough away to need a car to get
there. However, I have a new desire to look for a new job closer to my house
where I could either walk or ride a bicycle to get there. Therefore, other
than these, my purchases going forward really need only be for gas in the car
and food.

Along with this realization came a stronger
desire to meditate more. Right now, I meditate an hour a morning and an hour at
noon every day. I go for a nice hour long meditation walk for lunch at work.
Now I am ready to add an hour each night before bed. The reason I want to add
more meditation time is because I can see how stronger intent, to make these
changes to my life permanent and not just a fleeting good idea that never takes
root, becomes stronger during meditation times.

Category: posted November 27, 2011
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Patrick
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4 Answers

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Patrick I completly agree with you here, you see I was just recently released from incarceration. It may have only been 3 years I spent in prison but it was the ultimate realization of the things we have to have in life to survive. I lead a sitting group there and seemed to learn as much from watching thier struggles in life as I did from my own reading. I've only studied the teachings of The Buddha for about 5 years now after growing up in a christian household. In that time I see, I mean truly see that these possessions I call mine are just distractions from what matters most. If I help you or another then I ultimatly help myself because we're all connected in the cosmos, all beings are one.  
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michael shane
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Patrick, thank you so much for your enlightenment...as a school teacher, I once had that view of my "job," one as a service to others.  I want so much to feel that again.  I hope that with embracing meditation, I will discover this feeling once again...
Peace
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Maria
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Sounds great Patrick. It's a pity to many people still fall for the idea of "getting the next big thing" or having that new car, new job and then they will be happy. It's not working like that.

Several international studies about happiness show that as soon as the basic needs for food, shelter and social connections are met happiness comes from inside.

I like meditation because it makes me more natural. It removes the filters we have and helps us to see the beauty of what life really is. Good stuff!
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Jay
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 Jay, Mike and Maria,

I have also noticed that my emotional state of anxiety goes away when I stop worrying about getting more of something instead of just being happy with what I already have. Indeed, part of anxiety comes from having too much to do which is really created by me. When I let go of these desires for more stuff, then I am also released from my inner stress. It's also important to shut off all the media that constantly bombards us with all the marketing telling us what else we need to have next.

I'm going to meditate for an hour now. Talk to you later

Patrick

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Patrick
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