I now present to you: Elephants! According to the internet (I haven't done any more research than that), if you see a circus elephant tied to a shallow stake with a simple rope, it will not try to escape - even though it could easily dislodge the restraint. It seems, that when when they are born, baby elephants are tied with a strong chain to a secure stake. They pull and struggle as best they can, but eventually they give up trying. At that stage of growth, they just don't posses the power. |
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A famous instance of this was a 1938 broadcast called War of the Worlds. According to one estimate, over 1 million people panicked, believing the world had been invaded by aliens. And it was only a fictional news radio program!
You see, when I hear yet another personal testimonial of how the Principles changed someone's life or marriage, from years of dysfunction and emptiness into ease and wellbeing - in an instant no less, I can understand how unbelievable and outlandish it may seem. (Just so you know, I'm still waiting for my "sky opening up and light shining down, with harp music in the background" moment). I too was initially struck by the feeling that maybe this "whole innate health thing" was just a farce.
Along the way, I’ve used myself as a living laboratory, trying out techniques and doing whatever the various authors recommended to become happier (positive thinking, exercise, meditation, breathing, humor, diet, nature, self-awareness, mantra, complimenting others, you name it). As I discovered new approaches, I tried them out on myself and the long-suffering Happiness Club (is there an irony there?).
In short, all these approaches really do work to produce more happiness in everyday life. Rabbi Pliskin’s book “Gateway to Happiness” is a treasure, an encyclopedic overview of anything you can think of that will make a person happy. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness practice is an excellent approach for combating anxiety and depression. The Dalai Lama’s “Art of Happiness,” based on both Tibetan Buddhism and modern research into the plasticity of the brain (yes, we can change the physical structure of our brains and it’s not even all that hard to do), is a beautiful primer on happiness written by one of the world’s happiest people. Mathieu Ricard, officially the World’s Happiest Person based on scans of his brain, tells us to meditate (the Tibetan way) to achieve real, lasting happiness. They’re all right, but they’re all a bit short of the mark. A quiet revolution is taking place in our community; its participants are few in number yet slowly but surely it grows. This movement has no hierarchy, or central headquarters; it does not require a financial commitment, an oath of allegiance or the adoption of some carefully worded ideal. Nonetheless, you might want to familiarize yourself with this phenomenon for it has tremendous potential to alter your life experience. What does this revolution look like? People are experiencing genuine happiness in their lives more consistently. For these individuals, work environments seem less stressful while their marriages grow more connected and loving. Their parenting has become easier and lighter; their avodas Hashem (religious worship) more fulfilling and joyful. Without any change in the many challenges these individuals face, they are finding an ability to thrive. Instead of settling for "just getting by" or "coping", these modern day pioneers are discovering joy, patience, energy, resilience and more connected, richer lives. Let me share with you how this happened for me. About three years ago, I was facing a personal challenge and my Rav, Rabbi Michel Twerski shlit"a, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, suggested that I seek professional help. With a background in mental health and a steadfast trust in my Rav, I concluded that it would be best to heed his advice. |
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