Thursday, September 17, 2009

Why are we so unhappy?

Like me, we all wonder. What has happened to man-kind to be so unhappy? Why is there so much unhappiness all around us? How come our ancestors were a happier lot? They had lesser of everything and yet far more of peace of mind and happiness.

There could be many many reasons for our unhappiness. But one which strikes me the most is lack of self control.

Every religion has prescribed a "way of life" which when practiced helps control our mind, i.e. thoughts and actions.

Prayer, meditation, charity, social service, healthy living by way of yoga, and so much more.....over thousands of years man-kind had devised and evolved tools and techniques which when practiced help live a fulfilling, complete and satisfied existence.

Practicing all this requires discipline. And discipline is what our fore-fathers and ancestors followed. Getting up early at the break of dawn requires sleeping early. which means having an early dinner which means cooking the evening meals early!

Well how's that possible in today's life?

Most people work/commute till late. So they reach home late. When we reach home late, we have a late dinner. When we have a late dinner, it means sleeping late. And when we sleep late, it is but obvious we wake up late........

And this is just one tiny example of how undisciplined lives we are living today.

From morning to night, we are reacting to life. Going with the flow of events. Like a tiny little straw floating in the river. Completely directionless, out of control.

Keep your thoughts disciplined, eat healthy food and maintain a balance in life. Be it in terms of our actions or our desires.

Please think how you can bring about some discipline back into your life.