As we come to the close of Sharon Salzberg's Real Happiness 28 Day Meditation Challenge, we have been thinking about all of the lessons that we have learned from Real Happiness, and there are many. Here are a few of the things we learned . . . (1) Meditation, like life, is challenging. Some days are easier than others, some days are very difficult. There are moments of bliss and pure joy, and there are moments of pain and sadness. Each day is full of new challenges. You can always begin again. And, in the end, it is all worth it.
(2) We are all in this together with the common goal of finding our own happiness. It is wonderful to look around at people during the day, people we know intimately, acquaintances and total strangers, and recognize that we all experience the ups and downs of life, each one of us incredibly special and unique, yet each part of a much larger, intricately connected whole.
(3) Compassion and kindness are the keys to happiness. Anger, resentment, hostility, and judgment will not lead us down the path to happiness. It is through compassion and lovingkindness that we can find our own true happiness and beauty in the world around us.
(4) The magic is in each breath we take, each individual moment we have. The goal is to find the time and discipline to be present in each moment and to cherish those moments as they come.
It has been a pleasure learning from all of those who participated in this 28 day meditation challenge. While the meditation challenge is over, we will continue to learn through our daily meditation practices. Thank you Sharon for guiding us so beautifully through this experience. We wish you all real happiness today and everyday!
