I appreciate the thoughtful post, Steve.
Ramana Maharshi said, "Happiness is your true nature."
When we get a taste of enlightenment or God we then have another incentive. We still are tied to the material world by the rewards of the world yet also we know that there are superior experiences in soul recognition. We are then caught in the balance.... seeking God but also hoping for happiness through material pleasures or relief from the sorrows of material life. Then realizing more and more; wherever we go what ever we do we carry our problems along because our consciousness creates them. We cannot truly change our circumstances till we change our consciousness.
This is a good point. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies, "The Karate Kid". Mr. Myagi told Daniel Larusso:
Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I guess so.
Miyagi: [sighs] Daniel-san, must talk.
[they both kneel]
Miyagi: Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later
[makes squish gesture]
Miyagi: get squish just like grape. Here, karate, same thing. Either you karate do "yes" or karate do "no." You karate do "guess so,"
[makes squish gesture]
Miyagi: just like grape. Understand?
Daniel: Yeah, I understand.
Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I'm ready.
Miyagi: We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate to you, you promise learn. I say, you do, no questions.
