We don’t see the world as it really is.

There is suffering, and I refer to this often. This is not meant to convey a depressing view of the world or our human reality. It’s simply a pragmatic perspective, stating the obvious and dealing with the world as it is. Jesus himself said there will be trouble in this world.

We all experience pleasure in this world. But is it not also plainly obvious that pleasure is fleeting? The pursuit of pleasure never ends because it is ultimately an unquenchable thirst. The same logic applies to our understanding of happiness. In the end, only aging, sickness, and death are certain and unavoidable.

Why do I insist on speaking of these truths that we all would prefer to avoid?

We are led through life by our desire for pleasure and happiness. We crave pleasure, material goods, and immortality, all of which are wants that can never be satisfied. As a result, desiring them can only bring suffering.

Why do we do this? Ignorance. We don’t see the world as it really is. We don’t grasp the true nature of things. Our vices, such as greed, envy, hatred and anger, derive from this ignorance. All of this causes suffering.

Jesus said the kingdom of God is here. This confused people because they assumed that God’s kingdom would be the final and complete granting of pleasure and happiness they had been craving. They looked for the improved and perfect circumstances that they associated with this pleasure and happiness.

Instead, Jesus told them to find the kingdom inside themselves. Inside at the deepest level we are one with God. Jesus said, “I am the truth.” What truth is that? That humankind and God are not separated, but one. Which also them means that we are not separated from love, peace, wholeness, freedom and well-being.

The image, likeness and being of God is the underlying, unchanging and fundamental essence or nature of who we are, and all things. At the level of our true being we are at peace, free, whole, and content. There is no need to seek pleasure and happiness for well-being because well-being is who we are. Instead, we can move through the word encountering both pleasure and pain without being attached to either or depending on them as the source of our well-being.