Samuel is an experienced medical researcher, triathlete, and surfer. As a neuroscientist, he researches genetic and rare diseases at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, Australia. He uses the Heartfulness practices to balance his life and maintain a healthy and peaceful mind.

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Samuel Eiszele

<h4><strong><span style="color:#7abb74">SAMUEL EISZELE</span> explores the depths of happiness,
        reminding us that happiness and suffering coexist, and that true happiness is about intentions, integrity and
        innateness.</strong></h4>
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<h2 class="text-center"><span style="color:#5a38b7">EMBRACING DIFFERENCE</span></h2>
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<p>I love the question, “What does happiness mean?” Because, in my opinion, unconditional happiness is the purpose of
    human life, so understanding and evaluating what brings happiness will help us fulfill an enlightened life.</p>
<p>Happiness is very rich, rewarding, and complex. It is not diametrically opposed to grief or suffering, but rather
    something that I can experience when I know that I am being held in the integrity of my family, my community, what I
    stand for, and what I am rooted in.</p>
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    <img decoding="async" width="627" height="800" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
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<p>Happiness is about harmony and solidarity. It is knowing that when I arrive in a new environment, even if it is
    inherently challenging, I am arriving with a set of intentions: The intention to embody gratitude, loving-kindness,
    forgiveness and an active interest in others. And when I know that I carry this energy in my heart, my mind, and my
    inner being, then every moment becomes like a sacred offering, an opportunity to really open up to and unfurl to
    greater levels of interconnectedness and understanding. It truly is exceptional how interdependent we all are and
    have to be in this world.</p>
<p>Expanding upon the notion that happiness is the very nature of our being, I believe that other aspects of our inner
    being, like passion, are innately connected to happiness. Passion is defined as an intense driving conviction. It is
    a powerful feeling of enthusiasm toward something or someone, and it brings us the opportunity for new adventures
    and experiences. </p>
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<p>For example, I have developed a deep-rooted passion to understand the human body. Most people typically see the body
    as a collection of different parts, like arms, legs, torso, and the head. From this viewpoint, it may be difficult
    to imagine that the human body consists of over 70 trillion cells, all working in perfect harmony within our organs
    and the different organ systems to help us perform under even the most extreme conditions. My passion for the
    medical field has forced me to step out of my comfort zone by moving cities, challenging myself in academic
    research, and assisting in projects that could impact the lives of many. I believe that finding and pursuing our
    deep-rooted passions will help us live a full and happy life. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, was an extremely
    passionate person who told us, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet,
    keep looking, don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”</p>
<p>When we look outside our innermost feelings and emotions to find happiness, we lose control of our true nature. We
    are habituated to believe that happiness is found outside and through material means – a different partner, a new
    job, more money. We burden ourselves with so many pursuits, and it is difficult to avoid at times – at least I find
    this to be true for myself. When I was younger, I associated happiness with winning, an incredibly joyous feeling of
    coming first in a swimming race or achieving a high grade; however, the feeling was only transient. I have come to
    realize that there is a distinction between the happiness we gain from external factors, and the happiness within
    our being. When our attention is no longer exclusively directed toward material means of happiness, we can more
    deeply experience what’s innate – our very being.</p>
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    <img decoding="async" width="627" height="488" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
        src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/discover_your_true_nature4_adb87c3cae.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T11:26:57.701Z">

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<h4 class="text-center"
    id="h-by-remaining-open-relaxed-centered-and-able-to-let-go-of-distractions-we-give-ourselves-the-opportunity-to-find-unconditional-happiness">
    <span style="color:#7abb74">By remaining open, relaxed, centered, and<br>able to let go of
        distractions, we give ourselves <br>the opportunity to find unconditional happiness.</span></h4>
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<p>I think it’s safe to say that nobody wants their happiness to be conditional upon the behavior of other people or the
    different circumstances we find ourselves in. However, this is sometimes difficult to achieve, especially when there
    are a multitude of factors that affect our emotions and beliefs, such as the current pandemic. Releasing these
    distractions and turning toward the present moment can allow us to rest in our own being – enhancing our experience
    of happiness, not diminished by circumstances. I am relatively new to contemplative practices, however, I believe
    that they strengthen our capability to tune into our center and enrich our consciousness. By remaining open,
    relaxed, centered, and able to let go of distractions, we give ourselves the opportunity to find unconditional
    happiness.</p>
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<h4 class="text-center">Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL</h4>
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