Contentment? 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ~ United States Declaration of Independence 

“I don’t think happiness or unhappiness is the point.” ~ Bill W. 

***** 

I read a really great article recently about the measure of happiness in most cultures around the world. It seems Finland scores as the most happy nation on earth, even higher than Bhutan with its national standard of Gross National Happiness. (That in itself is a really cool proposition, isn’t it?)

Yet in interviews, Finns do not relate to the idea of happiness. Rather many translate the finding into the notion of “contentment,” a kind of satisfaction with the state, conditions and circumstances of their lives and how they live.

What if the real problem is with the pursuit of happiness?

With that as an expectation, our all-too-human egos would constantly be collecting data from around us that either validates all we lack, or focuses on those items which we think will fill the gap. We are then forever caught by that gap, and always seeking to fill it. We would become endlessly acquisitive, which looks like our modern world always seeking for something more.

I’ve long been curious about a notion first brought to my attention by a long-time mentor and sponsor in recovery. Master Samwise (my affectionate reference point for him) would often ask me to identify the cause of my discontent. It seems I was for a very long time forever discontented. There was always something lacking or lamentable.

One day in the process of studying Rhondell’s Science of Man practices, a student and teacher of The Fourth Way, the psycho-spiritual body of work from Georges Gurdjieff, he said something that echoed off Sam’s longstanding inquiries with me.

“The source of our disintegration is the pursuit of an illusion.”

Suddenly, it all made sense.  

When reality matches expectations then contentment falls upon us.

Seeing True in Reality and In Practice™

What if the secret is not in pursuit, but in a shift of our expectations?

What happens when we alter our thoughts about the purpose of life and living?

How might relationships change when we let go of ideals we project on others? 

Who might we be if our expectations were based in reality rather than illusion?

The path to contentment would then begin by identifying where we are at odds with reality.

Then letting go will allow for a better way.