If We Forget Our True Nature, Sorrow Follows

Spiritual leaders teach a profound lesson: lasting happiness is not an external pursuit but an internal discovery. Forgetting our true self is the root of all suffering.

In the relentless hustle of modern life, we are all on a frantic quest. We chase promotions, accumulate possessions, and seek validation, believing that the next achievement will finally bring us the happiness we crave. Yet, how often do we find that upon reaching our goal, the satisfaction is fleeting, only to be replaced by a new desire?

This endless cycle, according to revered spiritual guide Prem Ji Maharaj, stems from a fundamental error in our perception. He offers a simple yet transformative truth: “If we forget our own nature, then sorrow enters our life. Happiness is not outside; it is within.”

The Great Misunderstanding: Chasing Shadows

We are conditioned to look for happiness externally. We think:

• “I will be happy when I get that new car.”
• “I will find peace if I get that job.”
• “My life will be complete when I find the perfect relationship.”

In this process, we make our inner peace contingent on outer circumstances, which are inherently unstable and ever-changing. Maharaj compares this to mistaking a mirage for water. We exhaust ourselves running towards it, only to find sand. This constant seeking, without turning inward, is what invites anxiety, discontent, and sorrow.

What is Our “True Nature”?

When Maharaj speaks of our “nature,” he refers to our essential self—the pure consciousness that exists beyond our thoughts, emotions, and the roles we play in society. It is the still, silent center of our being that is inherently peaceful, joyful, and complete.

Think of it as the sky. Clouds of worry, storms of anger, and the rain of sadness may pass through, but the sky itself remains untouched, vast, and serene. We are the sky, not the clouds. But in our identification with the passing weather of life, we forget the boundless space that we truly are.

How Do We “Forget” and Invite Sorrow?

This forgetting happens gradually:

1. Over-Identification with the Ego: We start believing we are nothing but our name, our job, our body, and our possessions. When these are threatened, we feel our very self is under attack.
2. Living on Autopilot: We react to life instead of responding to it. A harsh word triggers immediate anger; a setback spirals into despair. We are controlled by our conditioned mind.
3. Neglecting Inner Silence: In a world filled with noise—from our phones, screens, and endless internal chatter—we never create the quiet space necessary to hear our own soul’s whisper.

This disconnection from our core is the fundamental source of the sorrow we experience.

The Path Back to Inner Happiness

The good news is that if sorrow comes from forgetting, then happiness can be reclaimed by remembering. Here are a few steps, inspired by this wisdom, to reconnect with the happiness within:

1. Practice Daily Mindfulness: Take just 10 minutes a day to sit in silence. Watch your thoughts without judgment, as if they are clouds passing by. This simple practice helps you disentangle from the chaos of the mind and connect with the observer within.
2. Shift from “What Can I Get?” to “What Can I Give?”: Selfless service (Seva) is a powerful way to break the cycle of selfish desire. When we focus on alleviating the suffering of others, our own problems seem smaller, and we touch a deep, inherent joy.
3. Cultivate Gratitude: Instead of focusing on what you lack, make a conscious list of what you have—from the breath in your lungs to the love in your life. Gratitude shifts your focus from absence to abundance, which is a state of your true nature.
4. Spend Time in Nature: The natural world operates from a place of effortless being. A walk in a park or sitting by a river can be a powerful reminder of the peace and harmony that is also our birthright.
5. Consume Wisdom Literature: Regularly read the teachings of spiritual masters like Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj. These act as reminders, pulling our attention back to what is truly important.

The ultimate lesson is that we are not inadequate beings who need to acquire happiness. We are happiness itself, momentarily obscured by forgetfulness. The entire spiritual journey is not about becoming someone new, but about returning to who we have always been.