It is important to keep the mind clear and focused. This is an important lesson for someone who knows the perplexing, contradictory, suffering of human beings. Many people, upon hearing this, will jump on the defensive and say, "But, in my opinion, you are wrong and it is this way or that way". I know that there are opinions, but there goes the weighing-mind again. Opinions are like assholes, in fact, consciousnesses are like assholes... Everyone has them and some of them stink really bad, depending on how well they take care of them. Perhaps this sounds negative, but one must realize the perplexity and stupendous ignorance of a mind and it's search for something to bring it peace.
The fact that you are walking a path is the meaning of walking the path. In life, the process of living is the meaning or purpose of living. HOW one lives is important. It is important to wake up and see that the world does not end at your doorstep, your family, your nation, or even this planet. Furthermore, the things you see in your life are so largely interconnected that pointing at one thing and calling it a thing is ignoring its true nature. When I eat a salad, I am eating the sun, the rain, the soil, the work of the farmer, the work of the trucker, the company, the corporation, the nation, the world, etc. Things are so vastly interconnected at the seams that our senses are not capable of really SEEING the connection. It sometimes brings me much shame to see people who are self-centered and their entire focus of existence is purely and whooly upon themselves. Being blind to the world is a hindrance, and not a help to your own happiness. It is something that primitive animals do. It should be a shame to be so self-centered, but our society is embracing it more and more. Not all people, (maybe I've seen too much ignorance), but it seems that it is a popular trend to adopt this philosophy. It is often thought that peace can be found through controlling one's conditions with an iron fist, or by acquiring enough "stuff" to never have any problems. If this is true, why there so many wealthy people who walk around with a permanent frown on their face? I am here to say that happiness, at least for me, has been found in: compassion, sharing of my money(through gifts, favors, etc), in mental clarity, and most importantly: through letting go of piddly shit that many people have trouble letting go of. For the record, I am NOT enlightened, or even close to it, but if I don't get my advice out I will feel like it's all been for nothing.
A wonderful thing has happened in human evolution. The brain has developed to adopt abstract thinking, conceptualizing, and a sense of morality that is truly unique and miraculous. Sitting here reading this is a miracle. Writing it is a miracle beyond my farthest imagination. Only through "Seeing deeply" can we begin to realize that not one thing in the entire universe is separate and independent of all others. Your idea of yourself is not true, for you are in existence only in relation to the miraculous web of living and nonliving things that has brought you into existence. Even your brain is not independent in and of itself, because if you fall sick or ill, the mind suffers immensely.
Perhaps I am talking around in circles, but remember one thing. It is important to listen, and listen, and listen some more. I am here to present what I feel I absolutely MUST share with the rest of you. I am not negative or suffering as a result. In fact, seeing deeply and thinking about things in this manner has helped me tremendously. This is not for everyone, and I don't expect you to understand or practice it. To me, it is simply a door to a more enlightened mind. The process of living is where walking through the door begins. These thoughts are not entirely my own, but if you trace your "opinions" to their source, you will see that they exist only in relation to all things that have formed them.
To expand on my mental clarity mentioned in the first paragraph, what I mean is that it is important to keep the mind centered on what is actually happening in your life, instead of the dread and doubt that it can naturally go. Thinking about the future is good, and some doubt keeps the mind in check, but it is important to practice the art of refining your awareness into a sharp and distinct tool. Keep your mind free of distracting thoughts like passions, angers, beliefs, etc. Again, naturally the mind falls on these things, and it is important to recognize that, because reality is not without these things. But, to someone seeking happiness, it would help to realize the benefit of keeping the mind as clear as a sheet of finely polished glass.
On an end note, take good care of yourselves and reflect on what I've said. The more I contemplate this, the easier it is for me to live and be happy, and if there is something wrong about this, than may God strike me down. Don't wait around to find happiness, realize it now. The only thing that you will accomplish with waiting and escaping is an untimely and wasteful existence. Sorry to sound negative, but in order to teach sometimes one must drive his point home. Peace, im outta here.