Loans that Change Lives
15 minute televison broadcast about KIVA
15 minute televison broadcast about KIVA Gina LakeGina Lake has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and over 20 years experience supporting people in their spiritual growth. She is also the author of several books on spirituality, including: Radical Happiness, Anatomy of Desire, Living Your Destiny, Return to Essence, Getting Free, and Choosing Love. Gina is available for astrological and channeled phone consultations that support spiritual awakening. For more information about her consultations, to read book excerpts, to listen to satsang talks online, to sign up for a free newsletter, or to download Radiance: Experiencing Divine Presence for free, visit Radical Happiness.
Noticing Happiness by Gina LakeIf you notice, you will see that happiness is already here. Still, no matter how good life may be, the ego says no to it: “It would be better if….” “I will be happy when….” As long as we don’t follow these thoughts, we will be happy. But usually we give our attention to the ego’s rejection of what is instead of to what is. We give this “no” the power to steer our actions: We jump from one idea to the next, trying to make life and ourselves better.
We will never arrive at happiness by listening to the “no.” Happiness just is. It is inherent in the moment—in the now—in the form of joy, acceptance, and love. It cannot not be. We only have to notice what already is. That is the only reality there is, so why waste your attention on what is not?
We think that some day there will be no more “no”—no more ego arguing against reality—and then we will finally be happy. But that day will never come. If you wait for the “no” to disappear, you will be waiting a very long time.
We don’t have to get rid of the “no” to be happy; we just have to see it for what it is—the programmed discontent of the ego—and ignore it. The ego will never be happy, but we can be if we don’t give our attention to what the mind says we need to be happy. The ego doesn’t know about happiness. What can it know about happiness? Its job is to manufacture unhappiness, and it is very skillful at convincing us otherwise.
Once we see this, the mind has no power to draw us away from the now. The only power it has is the power we give it by believing what it tells us. Now that you see this, there is no excuse for giving your attention to your thoughts. Pay attention to this moment. Notice. That is all it takes. The price of admission into the now is attention. This is an easy price to pay because we are always paying attention to something. Attention is one thing that is constant; it is always happening.
What we put our attention on is what we identify with. Attention directs identification. When we put our attention on thoughts, we become identified with them. And when we notice the now, identification shifts from the ego to the Self. Noticing is the primary doorway into the now, where the Self abides.
Copyright © 2007 Gina Lake
Excerpted from Radical Happiness: A Guide to Awakening by Gina Lake. ISBN 978-0615153940
Radical Happiness by Gina Lake
Radical Happiness: A Guide to Awakening provides the keys to experiencing the happiness that is always present and not dependent on circumstances. This happiness doesn’t come from getting what you want but from wanting what already is. It comes from realizing that who you think you are is not who you really are. This is a radical perspective! Radical Happiness describes the nature of the egoic state of consciousness, the mind’s role in maintaining it, how this interferes with happiness, what awakening and enlightenment are, and how to live in this world after awakening. Exercises are included to help you apply the information and transform your experience of life—and become happier!
Radical Happiness is available at Radical Happiness
ISBN 978-0615153940
Review by Katie Davis, Author, Awake Joy
Radical Happiness is a supremely intelligent guide to awakening from the delusion of the mind and its time. Gina points with clarity and wisdom, while offering practical exercises and helpful resources, so that we may realize the extraordinary delight of the Heart. - Katie Davis, Author, Awake Joy
Anatomy of Desire by Gina Lake
Anatomy of Desire Review by Katie Davis, Author, Awake Joy
Gina Lake intimately dissects the entire landscape of desire and skillfully points us to the Reality that is beyond all fantasy. In a well written, grounded and pragmatic manner, she guides us to awaken from the ego's endless cravings and invites us to discover the uncaused joy of the Heart.
- Katie Davis, Author, Awake JoyAvailable at Radical Happiness ISBN 978-0615137629
