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* Inspiration – getting clear about unhappiness

by Val Boyko
Comments 49

unhappiness revealed

“Inquiring deeply into

The source of unhappiness,

One becomes clear about unhappiness.

When one is clear about unhappiness,

One becomes clear of unhappiness.”

~ Wu Hsin

In yoga philosophy, unhappiness is rooted in attachment to pleasure and wanting things to be a certain way … our way. It is also connected to aversion, when we dislike and avoid things that are not a certain way … our way.

It seems to fit with Wu Hsin’s words of wisdom, as well as the tenets of Buddhism.
In daily life we fall into the habit of being pulled between trying to get what we want and trying to avoid what we don’t want.

When we are caught up in attachment or aversion, it prevents us from seeing how things really are.

Clarity comes when we become aware that unhappiness comes when our mind resists what is, and wishes things were different. As we observe this more and more within ourselves, we come to realize that accepting how things are, and letting go of our stories is the key to being happy.

How does this resonate with you my friends?

49 comments on “* Inspiration – getting clear about unhappiness”

  1. Hariod Brawn
    April 10, 2016

    I wonder, Val, if we could say that the beginning and the ending of the search for spiritual knowledge comes to down to acceptance of one kind or another? We begin by accepting that we do not know, and end by accepting that it does not matter – perhaps that is too oblique? H ❤

    Liked by 4 people

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  2. nrhatch
    April 10, 2016

    It resonates, Val!

    If we consciously choose to put peace of mind ahead of all else, we will discover the power that lies within. ~ Joseph V. Bailey

    Liked by 3 people

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  3. Eliza Waters
    April 10, 2016

    Absolutely! Resistance is futile, self-imposed suffering. Once one learns to question what they are resisting, like the quote says, it melts away or at least lessens. It is a good practice!

    Liked by 3 people

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  4. smilecalm
    April 10, 2016

    i would really be
    unhappy & sad
    had I not
    read this 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  5. Jill Weatherholt
    April 10, 2016

    Acceptance is a powerful tool to keep in our arsenal. Thanks for the reminder, Val!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. dianasschwenk
    April 10, 2016

    I think it’s easier for me to accept my own situation than it is to accept it in regards to someone I love – then I want to change it Val. ❤
    Diana xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. elizabeth2560
    April 10, 2016

    Is unhappiness the same thing as sadness?

    I think that is OK to feel sadness (missing something wonderful that you once had) and one should not be made to feel bad about having that feeling. However, you can still be happy as a person, even though your feel somewhat sad. To me, unhappiness is something entirely different than feeling sad. There is much truth in how you describe unhappiness “trying to get what we want and trying to avoid what we don’t want” and many a day has been lost in happiness because of these fruitless strivings. Thanks for this post. I enjoyed it!

    Liked by 3 people

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  8. Healing Grief
    April 10, 2016

    My acceptance of unhappiness and everything in life is the answer! Great post Val. ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. Minuscule Moments
    April 10, 2016

    This resonates with me very deeply Val. I see those days when I am bitter or ungrateful (we all have them, silly little human that I am). I try to turn it around and not to resist and just go with it. I notice something when I do…..things seem to fall back into place. Maybe its age and experience that helps me stay calmer and accept the good and the challenging days.

    Liked by 2 people

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  10. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature
    April 10, 2016

    When fighting what is, one never wins. Acceptance with no expectations feels so much better!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  11. Vicki
    April 10, 2016

    This resonates 100% with me at the moment. Since moving house 12 months ago, I seem to waste half the day wishing for what I haven’t got. It’s a weird mindset after being content, positive and making the most out of my day (for the 5 years since I had to give up full-time work due to ill-health). I seem to alternate between being blissfully happy and irritatingly dissatisfied and frustrated. I coped easily with changing from an exhausting stressful job into finally getting enough rest (with severe pain and exhaustion being a constant, let alone the deteriorating heart condition), because the change was so profound from problems to solutions.
    Now, it seems like the solutions have been overwhelmed by more health restrictions.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Paul Handover
    April 11, 2016

    Val, while I agree fully with the philosophy of your message it doesn’t apply to those who are unaware of their weaknesses.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Kate @ Did That Just Happen?
    April 11, 2016

    This Friday and Saturday I was volunteering for at the NASCAR race as a fundraiser for our Senior class, and I was pulled from my station to go help another one, and Val, it was awful. I am a hard worker, and they were hardly working! I stayed to cover, but literally abandoned my post as soon as I could – and I just went around to all of the other stations and covered so they could have potty breaks. I needed something to do until I found the supervisor, and when I did, I was honest that I abandoned my post and I apologized and told him what I was doing instead, and he started asking questions about why… and it was hard to give him an answer, because I didn’t know why – except they weren’t working like I expected them to! I was attached to the fact that everyone should be a hard worker and I couldn’t deal when they weren’t! I can see it now – but in the moment, all I knew was that wasn’t the spot for me!! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Val Boyko
      April 11, 2016

      Great awareness Kate. There is a bit of a CEO of the universe in all of us. When we notice how she wants to have things here way, its time to step back and reflect on what the lesson is. Accepting others who don’t live up to our ideals can be a life long lesson. xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Carol Ferenc
    April 11, 2016

    This resonates, Val. Accepting things the way they are is powerful.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Ann Coleman
    April 11, 2016

    The makes a lot of sense to me. When I can finally let go of my need to “manage” everything, I often find that I am quite happy!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. D. Wallace Peach
    April 12, 2016

    For me, the word that often works is “surrender.” Not in a negative way, but a letting go of expectations that allows me to center in the present and just be. Lovely post, Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. Sue Dreamwalker
    April 13, 2016

    This sits well Val.. Happiness is a state of Being.. And it’s not found in ‘things’ we attach ourselves too.. Although our teaching in life has led us to believe if we have more things we should be more happier.. Sadly those who have had everything have found themselves still wanting.. And not finding happiness in their wealth..
    True wealth lies within our own contentedness within our inner selves..

    Beautiful post Val.. Have a wonderful Day xxx with Love

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. Michele Anderson
    April 15, 2016

    I needed that, thank you, Val 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. Aquileana
    April 17, 2016

    It certainly resonated with me… you are so right and at least we can count on those moments of clarity at the end, when we manage to turn to us and analyze the whole situation with new eyes, so to speak… Best wishes and happy sunday, dear Val. Aquileana ⭐

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. IreneDesign2011
    April 19, 2016

    This is so true Val. Happiness need to come from inside and your post tell so clearly why 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. anotherday2paradise
    April 19, 2016

    I was just over at Nancy’s blog and you are of like minds today. I commented that Abe Lincoln said “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” I try to remember this truism every day. It’s stood me in good stead so far. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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