Happiness - Where are you?

Nature is always speaking. She constantly shares with us the lessons of life. This post is about one such lesson - the lesson of happiness. Radhanath Swami puts across beautifully in one of his articles the life of the Himalayan musk deer.

                Prized by the perfume industry for its exceptional aroma, musk is one of the world's most expensive natural products. The aroma of musk is so alluring that when the deer's sensitive nose catches wind of it he roams the forest day and night in pursuit of its source, never to realize the bitter irony - the sweet fragrance he is chasing resides within him - musk is, after all, produced by a gland in stag's very own navel.

                An analogy can be made between us humans and the musk deer. We are all seeking material pleasure wandering in a forest of some sort. Oblivious to the truth, we seek happiness in external sources. We wrongly try to equate happiness with possessions, position and sensual thrills failing to capture the essence of the lesson nature is trying to tell us.
            Happiness has its source within us. Perform an act of selfless love for one needy person today and you'll feel connected to that divine source. Just the way you may be willing to work long hours for money and prestige but it cannot match the happiness of a mother who selflessly loves her child. She is connected to her inner source without any covering of false ego or pride. Selfless love is not a mere emotion. It has the power to heal the giver as well as the receiver.       
                     Face yourself and come to terms with the true source of your happiness. As Rumi puts it in his magical words - 
                  
                   " And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself? "