Natural State

"Happiness is our natural state. Happiness is the natural state of little children, to whom the kingdom belongs until they have been polluted and contaminated by the stupidity of society and culture. To acquire happiness you don't have to do anything, because happiness cannot be acquired. Does anybody know why? Because we have it already. How can you acquire what you already have? Then why don't you experience it?

Because you've got to drop something. You've got to drop illusions. You don't have to add anything in order to be happy; you've got to drop something. Life is easy, life is delightful. It's only hard on your illusions, your ambitions, your greed, your cravings. Do you know where these things come from? From having identified with all kinds of labels!"

-- Tony de Mello

"Happiness is our natural state. Happiness is the natural state of little children, to whom the kingdom belongs until they have been polluted and contaminated by the stupidity of society and culture. To acquire happiness you don't have to do anything, because happiness cannot be acquired. Does anybody know why? Because we have it already. - Tony de Mello

Photo ~ "Fr. Christian Aidan Carr, 100, the second abbot of Mepkin Abbey, died June 5, 2015 at the monastery. Born on Sept. 14, 1914 in Galveston, TX, he was the son of the late Helen E. Talty Carr and Daniel J. Carr.

During his 16 years as abbot, Fr. Christian expanded the sense of hospitality at Mepkin; he established the monastic guest program; and he continued the ecumenical efforts initiated by his predecessor, Father Anthony. On Sept. 11, 1987, Abbot Christian welcomed Pope John Paul II when he arrived at the Columbia, SC airport.

On his 75th birthday, as required by the Trappist Constitutions, Fr. Christian submitted his resignation as Abbot. Three years later he went to Uganda to serve as chaplain for three years to the Trappistine sisters of Our Lady of Praise Abbey. After he returned to Mepkin in 1996, Fr. Christian served in several roles, including: providing spiritual direction to retreatants, leading daily tours to the church, serving as a consultant on matters pertaining to canon law, serving various councils and committees, assisting the guest master, and helping in the kitchen on a daily basis."