All-seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness, The: A Children's Parable

Citation preview

the

ALL-S EEING B OY and the B LUE S KY o f HAPPINESS.

The All-Seeing Boy lived a normal life, getting up, washed and dressed, then

going to school to listen, learn, and play, before coming home, to eat, play some more and go to bed. He was mostly happy with his life, and especially so when the people around him, the people he loved, were also happy. But when the people that he loved were not so happy, perhaps a little sad, he would wonder what it was that he could do to help them. It was at times like these that he wished with all his heart that there was something, some power, some magic, something really big, that he could call upon, to help lift their troubles away. And the more he thought about helping those that were sad or down, the more he sensed something really was within his grasp. He sensed it bristling in the air on days when the rain had just passed; he imagined that he could hear it in the still of the early morning when there was seemingly nothing to hear; could almost smell it at the sunset just before the sun dipped below the skyline and melted into inky blackness. What was it? How would it help? Could anyone find it? He tried to tell his friends at school, but they didn’t seem to understand. They called him day-dreamer, and weird, and not liking this, the All-Seeing Boy learnt not to share his sense of wonder about the hidden world of magic he sometimes felt. But still he yearned to know what it was? Then, one day, an answer came quite suddenly. At the end of the street of terraced houses in which the All-Seeing Boy lived,

A Children’s Parable there was a thrift store. Inside, it was piled high with black bin liners overflowing by NICK KETTLES

with musty second hand clothes, waiting to be hung on rusty silver chrome rails. The

Illustrated by Serena Hallam

www.newmythcreate.com 2007

The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness

Copyright © 2007 Nick Kettles, www.newmythcreate.com The original purchaser of every audio book and e-Book is permitted to copy it in its entirety and give (not sell) to up to 100 people. The use of such free copies to promote or endorse, any product, service, organisation, or group without the prior permission of the publisher ‘New Myth Create eBooks’ is forbidden.

This e-book is type set in Times New Roman 12 point. ISBN 978-0-9557266-0-6 The All-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness.

Disclaimer The All-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness book is a spontaneously inspired work of fiction. The ideas contain herein should not be taken as a substitute for either medical or psychiatric help, for which proper professional help should be sought. Any resemblance between the characters in the All-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness and real persons living or otherwise is purely coincidental.

The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness

Dedication To Cairo, on your ninth birthday. Your happiness is a gift to the world.

Acknowledgements Thank you Josh, for your Blue Sky inspiration - you can indeed, feel it sinking into you. Thank you Andy for the art of having courageous conversations. Thank you Asha and Eloa for your constant reminder of the primary importance of fun and play in life. Thank you to my beloved Priya for your steadfast support, love, and tenderness. Thankyou, Shakyamuni for revealing the only true reality.

About the author, Nick Kettles Nick Kettles has been a freelance writer and broadcaster for 15 years. Whether writing campaigning articles for publications like The Times, Observer, or Ecologist magazine, BBC Radio Documentaries, non fiction and children’s stories; or helping professionals and organisations through his Visionary Brilliance consultancy to better communicate their passion and purpose; he combines his passion for storytelling and personal development to inspire others to flourish to their full potential. He launched New Myth Create eBooks in 2007, with his partner Priya, to provide the clearest and brightest inspirational writing to people worldwide. He lives near to the French Pyrennes with Priya and their two daughters Asha and Eloa. To contact Nick please email [email protected]

About the illustrator, Serena Hallam Naturally gifted since childhood, Serena Hallam has been a professional artist for 12 twelve years. Working as a muralist she has created interiors and tromp l’oeil for numerous private homes in Barcelona. She lives on the Costa Brava, in Spain, with her partner Luis, and their daughter, Laura, and son Sal. To contact Serena, please email [email protected]

The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness

“His Holiness is happy to have a copy of your e-book "The All Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness". His Holiness liked the story and hopes it will help to spread the message of loving-kindness among the readers. His Holiness sends his appreciation and gratitude to you and your colleagues for this wonderful piece of work.” Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“I read my son the All Seeing Boy today. He listened, soundlessly, but smiling. We then went shopping and sent blue-sky thoughts to every one we saw and it felt great!. WHAT a lovely thing you have taught us.“ Mother of 10 year old boy.

“Charming and insightful. Recommended for adults, teenagers and children.” William Bloom, author of Soulution, the Holistic Manifesto

“My children and I really enjoyed the All-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness, and like you said the ending was very touching. Bravo! A wonderful piece of writing.” Carl Honore, author of In Praise of Slow (Orion Books)

The All Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness, is a WONDERFUL book and what’s more IT WORKS!!!! My team and I have all been sending blue skies thoughts to everyone. Dr Susie Anthony, author of A Map to God, (O Books)

I just finished the book and I am very thankful that I had the chance to read it. It is a wonderful piece of work that I believe is going to touch every child’s heart and consciousness. Dr. Aretoula Fullam, PhD, PsyD, SMCI The Silva Method of New Jersey

The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness

Foreword by Dr Jo Nash Lecturer MA Psychoanalytic Studies, Sheffield University University This story is an evocative tale about how thoughts determine our experience, and illustrates a simple technique for transforming our own and others suffering through the practice of loving kindness. A rather special tramp initiates a small boy into the magical world of ‘blue sky thinking’, based upon an ancient Tibetan meditation practice of compassionate visualisation. This aims to alleviate others suffering and create positive intentions in the practitioner’s mind stream, so opening the heart. The results of blue sky thinking are a re-enchantment with the world through an experience of the transformational power of generating loving, compassionate feelings towards others. The All Seeing Boy realises that his thoughts alone shape his experience of himself, others and the world around him, and that his own mind is the key to happiness and liberation. Read it and experience the magic!

About the Tibetan Children’s Villages This e-Book is given freely at no charge to the reader, who is free to pass it onto to whoever they wish. If you enjoy reading The All Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness, and are inspired by it’s message of loving kindness, please consider making a donation, to The Tibetan Children’s Villages, whose purpose it is to meet the most critical educational needs of Tibetan refugee children, in Dharamsala, India. http://www.tcv.org.in/help.shtml

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness

the

ALL-S EEING B OY and the B LUE S KY o f HAPPINESS The All-Seeing Boy lived a normal life, getting up, washed and dressed, then going to school to listen, learn, and play, before coming home, to eat, play some more and go to bed. He was mostly happy with his life, and especially so when the people around him - the people he loved - were also happy. But when the people that he loved were not so happy, perhaps a little sad, he would wonder what it was that he could do to help them. It was at times like these that he wished with all his heart that there was something, some power, some magic, something really big, that he could call upon, to help lift their troubles away. And the more he thought about helping those that were sad or down, the more he sensed something really was within his grasp. He sensed it bristling in the air, on days when the rain had just passed; he imagined that he could hear it in the still of the early morning when there was seemingly nothing to hear; could almost smell it at the sunset just before the sun dipped below the skyline and melted into inky blackness. What was it? How would it help? Could anyone find it? He tried to tell his friends at school, but they didn’t seem to understand. They called him day-dreamer, and weird, and not liking this, the All-Seeing Boy learnt not to share his

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness sense of wonder about the hidden world of magic he sometimes felt. But still he yearned to know what it was? Then, one day, an answer came quite suddenly. At the end of the street of terraced houses in which the All-Seeing Boy lived, there was a thrift store. Inside, it was piled high with black bin liners overflowing with musty second hand clothes, waiting to be hung on rusty silver chrome rails. He had often seen a large, elderly lady working feverishly inside, to make everything tidy, although he suspected she never would. Outside this thrift store sat a tramp. Some people might called him a vagrant, or hobo, someone no one wanted around, but the AllSeeing Boy’s mother had said tramp was more polite, since that simply described what people like him did: trudging along, tramping from one place to another. He was there each day the All-Seeing Boy went to school, and each day, when he returned home; collecting pennies in a paper cup, nodding in thanks to those passers by who didn’t pass by. The lines on his weathered face were deep with dirt and grime, and his greasy white hair, mostly hidden under a flat cap pulled down over his eyes. He wore old black leather shoes, with soles that peeled away from the toe, and strangely, a long, red, woollen, winter coat. It was the deepest, most intense ruby red, the All-Seeing Boy had ever seen. Other tramps the All-Seeing Boy had seen were mostly dressed in dull colours blacks, browns, beige, and especially grey - that faded into the background of blacks, browns, beiges, and greys of city life. But, with a coat of deepest red like this one, it was difficult to

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness miss him. There was something wonderful about his ruby red overcoat that brightened up the street, and so the All-Seeing Boy would always walk home on his side of the street, to place a few pennies into his cup. Everyday the tramp with his cap pulled down over his eyes would nod his head in silent thanks. But, then, one day, he looked up and smiled the widest smile the All-Seeing Boy had ever seen. The All-Seeing Boy froze as for the first time he took in the tramps bright, blue eyes. They were so soft and warm, that the All-Seeing Boy was quite astounded. He had seen tramp’s eyes before, but they had always been dull with sadness, just like the clothes they wore, but this tramp’s eyes were alive. His smile too, revealed a set of perfect, pearly white teeth, with, one beautiful, glinting gold tooth at the centre of the top row. The AllSeeing Boy, because he was quite taken aback by the tramp’s face, which was not at all what he had expected to see, especially one with a gold tooth, suddenly thought to himself, that maybe the tramp was once a rich man, a really rich man. “Yes I was”, replied the ruby-red coated tramp joyfully. The All-Seeing Boy was taken aback. “How did you know, I mean, I didn’t say anything.” stuttered the All-Seeing Boy . “How did I know what you were thinking?” “Yes, that’s it, how did you know?” “I know, because I heard your thought whispering in the wind, when you stopped to look at me.” “Wow!” exclaimed the All-Seeing Boy . ‘How did you learn to do that?” “Just by sitting here, watching life.” said the ruby-red coated tramp. “But that’s silly. How does watching life teach you to hear what other people are thinking?” “Sitting still and watching life can teach you many things, my boy.”

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness The All-Seeing Boy hesitated for a moment, before the ruby red coated tramp held out his hand and introduced himself. “Mr Jason Carper Esquire, at your service.” When the All-Seeing Boy took his hand, he felt his hair bristle. What a very strange name he thought to himself. Very strange. Jason Carper. Esquire. He felt just a little nervous, but then he noticed how soft and gentle the tramps hand felt, and suddenly relaxing, a surge of wonder fill his mind. Maybe, just maybe, the tramp with the ruby red coat could answer his question. And before he knew it, he had blurted it out. “There’s something big in life isn’t there, something more than what we see?” Jason Carper grinned a little and nodded. “Want to know what it is?” The All-Seeing Boy nodded eagerly. Jason Carper took a deep breath, and looked deep into the All-Seeing Boy s eyes for what seemed an eternity, before he spoke. Then he began. “When I was a rich man, I worked for a very successful company in the City of London. I wore a smart, very expensive suit to work. And on cold mornings I would walk proudly down the street wearing this ruby red coat, enjoying how it drew attention to me. I had my name, Jason Carper Esq. embossed in gold letters on the door of my office, at the top of a very tall building. I worked hard, and was very, very busy. I was a very important man. Many people worked for me. I knew their names, but only to tell them what to do, to help the company to make more money. I never took the time to really know the people I worked with, to know if they were happy or sad. I never had time to think about anyone other than myself. When I walked to work I would be thinking about all the money I would make that day for myself. When I ate my lunch I was thinking about all the money I would make after lunch, and when I went to bed, the money I would make the next day. So, as you can see I spent a lot of time thinking about myself.”

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness ‘Is it bad to only think about yourself?” interrupted the All-Seeing Boy “Not particularly,’ replied Jason Carper, ‘but it can make you very lonely.” “But how could you have been lonely if you were so successful? You could have had anything you wanted?” “That’s true.’ sighed Jason Carper. ‘And I did. But, nothing last forever. As you can see, I am no longer a young man!’ The All-Seeing Boy laughed. It was true, everybody changes. Jason Carper continued his story. “Then, one day, the company closed, almost overnight without warning – the owner had not paid his taxes they said - and I had no job. I became very sad. Very quickly. All the things I had brought didn’t mean much after I wasn’t so important anymore.” “What did you do?” asked the All-Seeing Boy eagerly. The ruby red coated tramp laughed. “ I didn’t know what to do! All I had ever known, was how to work for the company where I had worked since I left school. So, I just sat watching TV, until I had no money left, and, unable to pay for my apartment, the bank that really owned it said I had to leave. I left with just my shoes, suit, a cap, and a few pounds in the pocket of my soft woolen ruby red coat. That’s when I came to live on the street. I lived for many years on the street still feeling very sorry for myself. Very sad. I would always think to myself, what use am I to the world? I used to be so important, but what use am I now?” “So even when you were poor, you were still thinking about yourself.” said the AllSeeing Boy. In his excitement, his anticipation, the All-Seeing Boy hadn’t realised that they were now walking together, up the street towards the park. The tramp was much taller than he had

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness expected, taking long, loping strides, seemingly floating along. The All-Seeing Boy felt like he was floating along too. Jason Carper turned to him, smiled and nodded his head. “That’s right. I just sat on the street, feeling sorry for myself, watching people walking to and fro for a long time. But then, I noticed something interesting.” “What was that?” “I noticed that every time the sun came out people would smile, but when there were grey clouds, which was most of the time, they frowned, and looked sad.” “That’s not interesting, that’s just what people do.” Said the All-Seeing Boy interrupting. “Ah, but why do people do this? That’s what I wanted to know. Why it was that people were like the weather, like the grey skies; happy for just a moment, when the sun came out and revealing the turquoise blue sky, then sad when the grey clouds covered its warmth.” “How long did it take you to find an answer?” quizzed the All-Seeing Boy again. “Oh about a year or two.” giggled Jason Carper. “Not long for someone who has time on their hands. But I can tell you when I finally realised why people were like the weather, I wasn’t sad anymore. In fact it made me so happy I laughed out loud.” “Why did you laugh?” replied the All-Seeing Boy a little confused. “I laughed because I realised the sky is always blue.” “Is that all? Why is that funny?” enquired the All-Seeing Boy, secretly hoping this wasn’t the only answer to his question. “It’s funny because it’s so simple.’ said Jason Carper quietly. “People think they have no control over whether they are happy or sad, but the grey clouds of their sadness are just like curtains covering a window. Just because the window can’t be seen, doesn’t mean it is

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness not there. Happiness is like the blue sky, it is always there, it never goes away, it just gets hidden by grey sad clouds. People forget it’s there because they choose to watch the clouds instead.” “So people aren’t really sad.” added the All-Seeing Boy . “That’s right.’ exclaimed Jason Carper, joyfully, ‘They just think they are!” “They’ve forgotten the blue sky.” laughed the All-Seeing Boy running along side excitedly. “Yes, they have forgotten the blue sky of happiness.” The tramp and the All-Seeing Boy laughed together for a very long time, before the All-Seeing Boy noticed everything was silent and they were now on top of the hill at the centre of the park and could see the city far below. The sky was indeed blue and the golden yolk sun was low in the sky, yet still warm to the skin. “Is the blue sky of happiness the something big I can feel sometimes?” asked the AllSeeing Boy. “No, the something big you can feel is more than the blue sky of happiness.” “What is it, I want to know. I know there is magic in this life. What it is?” pressed the All-Seeing Boy eagerly. Jason Carper looked at the All-Seeing Boy intensely, then replied: “The magic you can sense is what you will feel when you remember the blue sky of happiness for other people.” The All-Seeing Boy’s opened his eyes wide with astonishment: “Is that why only thinking about yourself can be so lonely?” Jason Carper nodded sagely in reply.

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness The All-Seeing Boy felt a surge of excitement: “How do I remember the blue sky of happiness for other people – I can’t make their clouds of sadness disappear for them. Can I?” Jason Carper leaned on the back of a bench and let out a gentle sigh. “Oh you can do many things for other people.” he said. “How you think about other people effects what they feel. If you see them as sad, then that’s how they will be, but if you see them as happy…’ ‘Even when they’re sad?” interrupted the All-Seeing Boy. “Exactly.’ Said Jason Carper. ‘Then you help to dissolve the grey clouds for them.” “But how do I see them happy?” said the All-Seeing Boy . Jason Carper laughed gently then replied: “You imagine what they would be doing if they didn’t have a care in the world, and the sun was shining and the sky was blue; free from clouds.” “Is that it?” said the All-Seeing Boy in amazement. “Yep. Want to try?” replied Jason Carper. The All-Seeing Boy eagerly replied that he would. The ruby red coated tramp scanned the heath below them. After a short while, he pointed to a man taking his dog for a walk, some way down the path. The man didn’t look happy. He had his collar turned up, his face, etched with worry lines, was fixed firmly on the path at his feet, and he kept pulling his dog impatiently who wanted to sniff at anything and everything. “He will do.” said Jason Carper. “Why him?” said the All-Seeing Boy. Jason Carper looked sombre as he said: “Because today, as you can see, the sky is already blue, and still he doesn’t notice. It is people like him who need the help of blue sky thoughts the most.”

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness When the All-Seeing Boy heard this he felt the magic within his grasp, he knew that he wanted to help this man, who he had never met before, to remember the blue sky of happiness. He didn’t know why he wanted to help this man, but he felt it deep within his heart. It was just like the longing he had felt for so long, to know the answer to his big question, that there must be something more to life. “So!’ said Jason Carper more upbeat. ‘What would this man be doing if he knew the sun was shining and the sky was blue and free from clouds?” The All-Seeing Boy closed his eyes and thought for a while. Then opening them he smiled and said ‘He would be running and laughing, playing gently with his dog, and then, once they had run as much as they could, he would be laying on the earth, smiling at the sunset.” “That’s lovely.” said Jason Carper. “But how will he hear my blue sky thoughts?” “You send blue sky thoughts like pictures floating on a wave, rippling through the air. Just like the way a TV receives its programs.” “Wow, b-b-but, how will he hear them? I mean I can only hear the thoughts inside my own head, and you said it took a long time watching life, before you could hear other people’s thoughts.” “That’s right. It does take a long time to recognise whose thoughts you’re listening to. To tell the difference between your own and those of others. But blue sky thoughts, when they are sent with love.’ The All-Seeing Boy’s eyes opened even wider… ‘just slip right in, between all their grey cloud sad thoughts, and…well, they just assume it was their own.” “Just like that?” said the All-Seeing Boy? “Yep, just like that.” “Amazing.” exclaimed the All-Seeing Boy.

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness “Want to know how to send them?” said Jason Carper. The All-Seeing Boy nodded. “First you have to close your eyes…’ The boy did so and then followed the instructions of Mr Jason Carper Esq, the ruby-red coated tramp, as he described in a very soft voice, how to send blue sky of happiness thoughts to people who couldn’t imagine there was anything better to think about than their own, sad, grey cloud thoughts. “In your imagination,’ he began. ‘First picture the blue sky free from clouds. Let the blue in your blue sky be so bright it almost sparkles. So bright, so clear, that it brings a smile to your face. Then, imagine that the blue sky is sinking into you. Down, through the top of your head, through your body, into your heart and every cell of your body. Feel the blue sky fill your very being with happiness, so you can imagine it for others with greater feeling. Now, picture the man doing what he would be doing if he knew that the sky was always blue; playing and running happily with his dog, feeling the warm breeze in his hair, smelling the sweet grass beneath his feet. Then, later, feeling his heartbeat as he lays on his back with his dog beside him, smiling at the golden sun as it sets below the horizon, until the blue sky is aflame with its regal light. Really feel this image, and then imagine it riding on a golden wave through the air, traveling from your heart, to his. Softly through the air like a feather in the breeze. And when it reaches him, his heart, it dissolves into a haze of warm golden light that expands to surround him from head to toe.” Jason Carper’s voice trailed away, and when the All-Seeing Boy noticed that he had stopped talking, he became aware of a warm glow inside his heart. It felt nice. Very nice.

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness He opened his eyes and to his disappointment he noticed that Jason Carper, the ruby red coated tramp had gone. The All-Seeing Boy quickly scanned the horizon but he was no where to be seen. The park was empty except for a man running joyfully with his dog. The All-Seeing Boy watched the man with his dog for sometime, before he realised that it was the same man to whom he had sent his blue sky thoughts. The man’s grey clouds of sadness had lifted! He watched the man reach the gate at the end of the park, before he began walking back towards his home. As he did so, he felt a wonderful fizzing feeling in his legs that tingled nicely, moving up his body, just like getting into a warm bath. He looked around and everything seemed just right, just so. Nothing right, nothing wrong, just so. It was a magical feeling. It was the magic, that he had always felt was there, somewhere outside of himself, but now he knew that it was inside him. And what’s more he knew how to find it. That night the All-Seeing Boy dreamt of Mr Jason Carper Esquire, riding a wonderful, white, snow-lion through emerald green, grassy plains below sparkling, snow capped mountains. His ruby-red tramp’s coat was now a ruby red robe down to his ankles with gold bands around his cuffs. His greasy hair, now short, white and fluffy. His glowing, golden, moon like face, free of lines, and blue sapphire eyes shining. As he watched Jason Carper ride his white snow lion, he heard him say: “My boy! There are many worlds to be journeyed, many gifts to be discovered. The key to both can be found in the blue sky of happiness.” Jason Carper rode his white snow-lion off into the distance, with his ruby red robe flowing behind him, until suddenly a rainbow bridge appeared between two mountains, and Jason Carper disappeared in a flash of light. The All-Seeing Boy awoke with a start. It was Saturday. The thrift store. He must get there to see Jason Carper. With urgency he jumped out of bed, dressed hurriedly, and shouting to his mum that he was just going to the shops to get some sweets, he dashed out.

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness He ran down to the bottom of the road in which he lived, his heart thumping. But when the All-Seeing Boy arrived he was not there. His usual space, the same space that he had occupied for longer than the All-Seeing Boy could remember, was empty. The All-Seeing Boy looked around, up the street and back. But he was nowhere to be seen. He turned to look inside the thrift store. There inside was the same large, elderly woman, as always sorting out piles upon piles of musty clothes. She looked up at him and frowned. The All-Seeing Boy could feel she didn’t want him leaning up against the shop window, and normally he would have simply walked away, but just as he was about to do so, she pulled out a bright ruby-red coat from a black bin liner, and proceeded to place it on a hanger, and then on a rusty chrome rail. The All-Seeing Boy’s heart leapt, and before he knew it, he had entered the shop. “Can I help you,” barked the old lady grumpily. “I’m looking for a coat.” said the All-Seeing Boy. “They’re all on the rail here, fitting room at the back.” replied the old lady. The All-Seeing Boy tried not to look too excited as he made straight for the ruby-red coat. He took it from its rail and hanger and walked over to the fitting room. It was the same coat. It just had to be. He put it on, and admired himself in the mirror. It was a little long, but it was quite warm and clean too.

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness He thrust his hands into the pockets, wrapping it closer around his front. As he did so, deep inside one of the pockets, he felt a small piece of card. He pulled it out. It was a business card. Written across the front in gold embossed letters, were the words: ‘Jason Carper Esq.’ then below in italics the words ‘Blue Sky Thinking’. The All-Seeing Boy stopped for a moment, remembering his wonderful walk with Jason Carper, and how he had learnt to help people remember the blue sky of happiness. He looked at himself again in the mirror, and it was then, that he noticed in the distance behind his reflection, the old lady with her hand on her head. Her face was white, and she seemed to be very tired and in some pain. He looked behind him and saw the pile of clothes that she never seemed to be able to tidy. He knew what to do. Closing his eyes he first imagined the blue sky free from clouds, so bright, so clear, sinking into him, filling every cell of his body with joy and happiness. Then he imagined the old lady in the back garden of a small terraced house, on a warm sunny day. The sky a brilliant, turquoise blue, free from clouds. The sun golden. She was tending to many, many beautiful sweet scented pink geraniums, in large terracotta pots. In his mind, the All-Seeing Boy imagined her bending down to smell their sweet intoxicating perfume, while humming along to a gentle jazz song from the radio. The All-Seeing Boy imagined his blue sky thought floating through the air on a golden wave from his heart, floating softly to the old lady’s heart, where it surrounded her in a haze of golden light. Slowly opening his eyes, the All-Seeing Boy placed the business card that he had found in his jeans pocket, took off the coat, replaced in on its hanger, then walked back to place it on a rail. As he was doing so, he noticed that the old lady was now behind the counter busily tuning an old transistor radio. He paused to watch while she found the station she wanted. Gentle, big band jazz music floated out into the shop, and the old lady began to

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness hum sweetly. She looked up and offered the All-Seeing Boy a smile. He smiled back and felt his heart warm once more, tingling with the magic. END.

Everyone’s life experience is equally precious.

SEE NEXT PAGE FOR MORE ABOUT HOW TO USE THE BLUE SKY OF HAPPINESS MEDITATION,.

Did you enjoy this free ee-Book? If so, please consider making a donation to the Tibetan Children’s Villages This e-Book is given freely at no charge to the reader. If you enjoyed reading The All Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness, and are inspired by it’s message of loving kindness, please consider making a donation, to The Tibetan Children’s Villages, whose purpose it is to meet the most critical educational needs of Tibetan refugee children, in Dharamsala, India. http://www.tcv.org.in/help.shtml

Translators urgently required Help us share the Blue Sky of Happiness with the world New Myth Create eBooks is actively seeking translators in the following languages: French, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Dutch, Italian, Tibetan, Hindhi, Mandarin and Japanese. If you are a mother tongue speaker of any of these languages, and interested in taking on the translation of The All Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness, or any of our other titles, please email [email protected].

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness

Frequently asked questions for parents and adults about using using the Blue Sky of Happiness Meditation.

How often can I practice the Blue Sky of Happiness meditation? You may like to consider that sending someone the good will of blue sky of happiness thoughts, wrapped in the golden light of love, is no different from giving someone a present. Only, unlike birthdays or Christmas, when your finances may limit the amount of gifts you are able to share with others, there is no limit to the amount of Blue Sky of Happiness thoughts you can send. Truly abundance is a state of mind!

When and where should I practice the Blue Sky Sky of Happiness meditation? While it’s preferable to practice the meditation in a quiet space, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you can practice the Blue Sky of Happiness meditation, anywhere and at anytime.

Who should I send my Blue Sky Sky of Happiness thoughts to? While it’s obviously easier to imagine the Blue Sky of Happiness thoughts for the people who are close to us, just like the All-Seeing Boy, you can also send Blue Sky of Happiness thoughts to people you don’t know. In fact sending Blue Sky of Happiness thoughts to people you don’t know is a particularly powerful way of lifting you own mood. If you so wish you may like to experiment with sending Blue Sky of Happiness thoughts to people with whom you may have fallen out, or have a problem, or indeed a public figure to whom you have taken a dislike.

How do I know my blue blue sky of happiness thoughts will be what someone would really be doing if the sky was blue and the sun shining in their life? The key here is just to be innocent. Just like the All-Seeing Boy, as long as your intention, or desire, is genuinely to help others, then you can’t go wrong. Even if you imagine someone

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness playing football under the Blue Sky of Happiness, when really they like tennis, it will not matter, because it’s the loving intention behind your thought that they will feel.

But surely happiness is an an individual, subjective experience? In the consumer society today, it’s natural to frame our sense of well being or happiness, by what we have materially, and or, the quality of our relationships, rather than what we feel inside. When we see the world like this, it’s natural to consider that happiness is something that can be won or loss, just like when the Blue Sky disappears behind the grey clouds. However, if we are willing to consider that happiness is a state of being, represented by the quality of our experience of our inner world; then it’s possible to embrace the idea of an omnipresent blue sky as a metaphor for the endless peace and contentment we all truly seek. What is endless peace? That is a magical world for each individual to discover in their own way, but to be sure, one quality of peace nearly everyone will be able to clearly recognise, is freedom from doubt; or a growing sense of being at ease with the world, exactly the way it is, no matter what happens.

Even so, isis it still alright to imagine someone enjoying material wealth under the Blue Sky of Happiness? Of course it is. The key here, again, is to be innocent and spontaneous. But be creative too. For people who are lonely, then the company of good friends might represent their Blue Sky of Happiness. For someone who is sad, then laughing freely, might represent their Blue Sky of Happiness. It doesn’t have to be complicated. With few exceptions, everyone loves blue sky and sunshine, so simply imagining that, and the person smiling broadly beneath it, will be all you need to do. However, above all, your positive intention that others will be happy, is of primary importance. That is the key to this practice. It should never be used to try and coerce, fix or control others. The development of the spontaneous and heartfelt wish that all living beings should be free of pain, suffering and obstacles, is perhaps the greatest benefit of this practice, because it is this wish, this desire, that prompts us to consider the true nature of Happiness. Once we understand this, we are better equipped to offer people the guidance and direct support they need, to discover it for themselves as well. This is true compassion.

How do I reconcile the experience of low selfself-esteem, and the need to develop a healthier respect for myself, with the idea of giving to others? The key here is to recognise the benefits of focusing our minds on the happiness of others. When we do this, we direct our minds attention away from one of its most deeply ingrained habits: to dwell only on our own worries, fears or anxieties. It is this very ‘self-cherishment’, or absorption in our own concerns, which gives our negative thoughts and feelings (grey clouds), a basis for existing. The longer we focus on them the more we believe them to be true, and yet, as the story of the All-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness suggests, they are no more real than grey clouds. The Blue Sky of Happiness still exists behind them.

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The AllAll-Seeing Boy and the Blue Sky of Happiness We do not need to dissolve our negative thoughts and feelings as much as we need to dissolve our attachment to them, by placing our focus elsewhere. There is no faster way to do this, than by cultivating the spontaneous wish that all living beings will be happy, by imagining what someone would be doing if the sky was blue and the sun was shining in their life. When we do this, we are able to better understand the true nature of Happiness, as an experience free from thought, especially those which invites us to believe happiness is something that can be exclusively won or lost . No one loses. No one gets left out. Everyone gets to experience the Blue Sky of Happiness.

Blue Sky of Happiness meditation summary. i.) Decide who you want to send Blue Sky of Happiness thoughts to.

ii.) Close your eyes…

iii.) Then, in your imagination, picture the blue sky free from clouds. Let the blue in your blue sky be so bright it almost sparkles. So bright, so clear, that it brings a smile to your face. Enjoy that feeling for a few moments.

iv.) Then, imagine that the blue sky is sinking into you. Down, through the top of your head, through your body, into you every cell of your body.

v.) Feel the blue sky fill your very being with happiness, so you can imagine it for others with greater feeling.

vi.) Now, spontaneously and innocently, picture the person you have chosen to sent blue sky of happiness thoughts to, and consider what they would be doing if they knew within their heart that the sky was always blue and the sun shining.

vii.) Really feel this image, and then imagine it riding on a golden wave through the air, traveling from your heart, to theirs. Softly through the air like a feather in the breeze.

viii.) When your Blue Sky of Happiness thought reaches their heart, which should take no more than a couple of seconds, imagine it dissolve into a haze of warm golden light that expands to surround them from head to toe. Repeat.

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