| The Hidden Life |
Chapter 3 |
Page 2 |
The theory of happiness which Buddhism proposes is to tear desire from the soul, and to destroy the heart’s hunger. But this is not possible. A craving repressed, held in check, shut up in the heart, is not at rest. The desire still lives, though caged, smothered, and confined. Happiness never can be found in this way.
Christ came to tell us of a way in which our soul’s thirsts and cravings may all be satisfied. Instead of crushing them within the heart, he would let them live, and would find perfect satisfaction for them.
These longings within us are not evil in themselves. They are the divine qualities in our soul crying out for divine nourishment. We are not bodies — we are souls, immortal souls. We bear the image of God. We belong to heaven. It is no wonder that house and furniture and pictures and sumptuous fare and rich clothing will not answer our higher nature’s needs. How could such things satisfy an immortal soul? Imagine an angel living in the house of one of our worldly millionaires, and living just as the millionaire lives. How much comfort would he get from it all? It is because we have in us the divine that earth cannot satisfy us.
“Thank God for life; life is not sweet always;
Hands may be heavy laden, heart care-full,
Unwelcome nights follow unwelcome days,
And dreams divine end in awakenings dull;
Still it is life; and life is cause for praise.
This ache, this restlessness, this quickening sting
Prove me no torpid and inanimate thing,—
Prove me of him who is the life, the spring.
I am alive,—and that is beautiful.
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