Happiness of the Ten Moons
Happiness is the only sanction of life; where happiness fails, existence remains a mad and lamentable experiment."
---George Santayana, The Life of Reason
Is happiness the goal of life? Am I pursuing the things that yield ultimate happiness? Is wealth necessary for happiness? Are there limits to happiness? Why does happiness often seem hard to achieve and maintain? "Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." The authors of the American Declaration proclaimed happiness to be one of the essential rights that make life worth living.
"If we were to ask the question: 'What is human life's chief concern? one of the answers we should receive would be: 'It is happiness.'" Every philosophical and religious system has offered its pathway to happiness for the individual and the group. Happiness has been related to pleasure, refuge from pain, intellectual contemplation, union with God, friendship, children, wealth, honor, successful activity, and even state burial with statues! ".
The concept of happiness--while difficult to define-- is obviously here to stay. But the desire for happiness can set up expectations that are often hard to fulfill. The right to pursue happiness was conceived of as an inalienable right; the entitlement that everyone be happy was never promised.
What Does Bring Happiness?
"No man is happy who does not think himself so."
---Publilius Syrus, Maxims
Happiness is not to be found in wealth, education, youth,geographic location, having children, or belonging to a particular gender or race. If these do not define happiness, what does? Although it is not "all in the head", psychologists and philosophers agree that happiness is primarily a state of mind or mental attitude. This explains why it is difficult to find relationships between happiness and external life circumstances.
Our happiness is produced, not by our external life conditions, but by our perceptions and thoughts about our life and what happens to us. We are not upset or made happy by events, but by our reactions to events. As Shakespeare put it,
"What is aught but thinking makes it so." So the pursuit of happiness involves finding ways to gain control over our state of mind-- the ultimate source of happiness. Happily this is something we can control.
There are important sources of happiness that are exceptions to this rule because they don't lend themselves to obvious control. Research suggests thatpeople born with a cheerful disposition tend to have an easier time sustaining happiness. A group of teenages who were happy in the 1920's were found to still be happy when studied again fifty years later.
I believe that the essence of happiness is defined by a person's state of mind, positive relationships with others, and balanced living that includes a higher purpose reaching beyond the self.
Most studies of happiness--from ancient texts to modern popular and psychological works--identify a common set of key elements that are needed in the pursuit of happiness:
 | Self-Knowledge |
| Self-Esteem |
| Positive Thinking and Optimism |
| Personal Control |
| Social Relations |
| Balanced Living |
| Spirituality & Transcendence |
During the next 10 Moons we will discuss the details of these keys in depth, but first we need to understand the "Eight Lies of Iktumi", which keep us bound to the chains of uncertainty and lack of successful pursuit of our happiness.
The Lesson of Iktumi
Iktumi is the Sioux word for spider. Iktumi is regarded as a trickster and liar. Iktumi can cause a person to believe things that aren’t true. He is very dangerous because of this power. Iktumi has the ability to ruin a person’s life.
"Eight Lies of Iktumi"
|
| If only I was rich, then I’d be happy. |
| If only I was famous, then I’d be happy. |
| If only I could find the right person to marry, then I’d be happy. |
| If only I had more friends, then I’d be happy. |
| If only I was more attractive, then I’d be happy. |
| If only I wasn’t physically handicapped in any way, then I’d be happy. |
| If only someone close tome hadn’t died, then I’d be happy. |
| If only the world was a better place, then I’d be happy. |
None of these things are true! Work on removing these lies from your life and you’ll find it easier to b happy. You can be happy if you want to be, and the first step is removing the lies of Iktumi from your life.
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS
There are sequences in everything you do. You can use a sequence to make yourself happy. The sequence always works. You will be happy when you are finished.
If you think happy thoughts, you will be happy because you will convince your mind that you feel good.
To be happy, meditate quietly three times a day. Relax so you can communicate with your subconscious mind.
When you meditate, think happy thoughts and tell yourself that you’re happy.
The Exercise
(Do this three times a day)! | Find a comfortable place to relax. |
| Close your eyes and count from one to ten, exhaling with each number. |
| Relax further as the count progresses. |
| Once you reach ten, feel the relaxation spread through your body. |
| Think of anything that makes you happy. |
Make it as real as possible.
| Say aloud ten times, "I am happy." |
| Count from ten back to one and open your eyes. |
| Smile (Required)! |
If you do this, you’ll be happy. If you do it every day, you’ll find that you’re happy all the time. Happiness will be a Habitual feeling for you.
The First Cycle of The Moon!
(From ‘Wokini’ by Billy Mills)
Realize I Am The Most Special Thing Ever Created
The first stick needed to fuel the Fire of Happiness!
Since long before the sun rose in the sky and even before Apis-To-Too-Ki created the womb of Mother Earth in which we live, there has never been any one exactly like me. No person in the past has had exactly my characteristics, my personality or my abilities. No one has ever grown at the same rate, learned the same things, or wondered about life in the same way I have. Nor is there any worry that anyone ever will because I can’t be duplicated in the future. My place in history is secure because no one will ever be the same as me.
I am the most special thing ever created.
Why am I so special? Because I have things that no one else can ever have. I am unique in this world and no warrior or chief or common man can ever lay claim to the things I have. I alone have my thoughts and hopes. I alone have my beating heart, my stamina, and my love of life. Can anyone else lay claim to my dreams? Can anyone else love like me? Is there anyone who sees exactly the same color I do when I look at a budding flower? Has anyone before me ever heard the howl of a coyote with exactly the same pitch? Will anyone ever be able to duplicate my deeds and actions? No, I know these things are mine and mine alone. How can I not be happy with these thoughts in my heart and my soul? I am the most special thing ever created, I am valuable. Like a diamond, I am rare and beautiful. I am worth more than anything in the world. What good is money when compared to me? No money could ever buy my thoughts. What good is fame when compared to me? No amount of fame can make me more special. What good is any earthly item? None can be traded for me. My happiness is secured by this knowledge..
I am the most special thing ever created.
I know I shouldn’t waste my life. I am here for a purpose. I am here to grow in wisdom. I am here to love all things. I am here to honor Apis-To-Too-Ki. How can I do these things? I can begin by being happy. I can be happy if I realize I am the most special thing ever created. If I am so special, I can surely smile with pride at who I am. I can be happy, I will be happy – I am happy.
I am happy because I am the most special thing ever created.
