THE BRAND NEW SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE
Fans of Benoît Poelvoorde will recognize the inspiration behind the title. The irony here lies in the fact that the brand new secret is actually the same as the old one, or almost. For millennia, millions of people have actively sought ways to live a full and satisfying life, in alignment with their values. What I bring with Pointfulness is not very different in appearance. Let's summarize:
- Learn how your mind works ("Know thyself" - Socrates, Descartes, Jung)
- Identify and control your illusions (Buddha, Epictetus, Plato)
- Maintain a tranquil mind so your life flows naturally (Epicurus, Lao-Tzu)
The big question is why these truths, which are only secret because we choose to ignore them, don't seem natural to most of us. We admire Tibetan monks, Indian gurus, or modern sages like Olympic champions, but we are careful not to follow in their footsteps too closely. Even the path of Christ, supported by an entire Church, is strewn with doubts and obstacles that nourish sin. It's so much easier to anesthetize discomfort, procrastinate until better days, and enjoy moments of pleasure when possible, instead of a more constant happiness. Eventually, one day, everything will end, maybe even tomorrow, and these illusions and this restless mind will have simply helped us pass the time.
Lost weight comes back, the desire to drink haunts the abstinent alcoholic, temptation resurfaces for the repentant cheater. Why then should the anxious and the dissatisfied keep calm in the face of life's challenges? For me, this is the central point of all philosophy and the raison d'être of Pointfulness: to forgive oneself and return to the center, to the present moment free from illusions with a calm mind. The moment we wake up, even if just for a few moments, in a fleeting meditation.
The brand new secret is to never give up (forgive oneself seventy times seven) and to keep the point as a reference. Above all, one must understand that a full and happy life is not for everyone, and even less a norm. It is an uncomfortable reality but also an illusion of the ego.
That said, everything is open to those who travel light, and Pointfulness always begins by freeing oneself from the weight of an illusion. To further explore these principles and discover how Pointfulness can help you live a more serene and fulfilling life, visit our website www.pointfulness.com or contact me directly for a consultation session.