“I’m not as happy as I used to be. Nothing seems to get me very excited. Even the job I am good at, that pays the bills and supports my family, doesn’t feel like enough anymore. Why isn’t it longer lasting?”

G: First things first, when I hear about gradual or sudden mood and energy changes, what comes to mind is the need to get a comprehensive medical checkup, including hormones. Burnout is a possibility. While awaiting that appointment, consider examining where your spiritual life has faltered. Read up on perennial wisdom. Learn from those who know about the path of happiness and what it takes to hold it steady.

When I was around 20, I began my quest for personal transcendence (aka enlightenment) by learning about people who displayed remarkable abilities. I soon discovered a few commonalities among these individuals, even though there were profound differences in cultural and religious background and non-religious practice. I was especially struck by the need for secrecy.

It was not unusual for those who appeared to be happy, who had transcendent experiences, or even those who possessed coveted information, to prefer they and their knowledge remain hidden. I also learned there were agreements: those who achieved enlightenment were to share knowledge with only a select few, and only under certain conditions.

Cautionary restrictions on sharing one’s own personal greater knowledge – and even protecting it within select groups privy to secret hand codes and language – strikes me as being antithetical to the reason for being human, and also anti-spiritual. But I realize the adherence to secrecy has basis in reality since admitting to spiritual achievement may cause individuals to be thought of as delusional, or worse yet, viewed as living under evil influence, and possibly be harmed or killed.

Though this need for secrecy has diminished, many groups still do not take kindly to anyone expressing attainment of mystical states and disown those that disclose sacred secrets. An easier and surefire way for mystics to protect themselves is to remain quiet. I know this firsthand. This fact took on a special poignancy at one of my most successful signings for my book, “We are Here for a Purpose: HOW TO FIND YOURS.”

I had left my seat for a bathroom break from the long line of people who had kept me signing books for several hours. Just as I exited the restroom, an adult male suddenly approached, blocking my passage. I tried to step aside, but as I moved, he drew closer.

He began accosting me with a tirade of menacing accusations and threats, but somehow, I stood firmly grounded. I returned his glare with direct eye contact, feeling as if I were enveloped in polished armor. The essence of what I recall having told him was that he was uninformed, that he did not know me at all and it was he who was not aligned with Truth. When I was finished speaking, I pivoted and returned to my seat to resume my book signing and I saw the man leave the bookstore. I realized I had been shown the face of real evil, but I had also been provided the way to disarm it and feel safe in Truth.

The teaching I found prevalent in many spiritual, religious and non-religious circles is that one’s humanity can only be enhanced through the attainment of certain desirable states of mind and body. In sharing this knowledge about happiness, I have found others to be inspired, to want to prioritize expanding their gifts and fulfillment by being happy.

When I set out to learn the knowledge of the most spiritually wise and peaceful, I also had a sincere desire to find happiness. Ask yourself as I did, what would your life look like with sustained happiness? What would your life look like with vibrant spiritual awareness increasing your compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love?

Your energy would become a reflection of happiness, because happiness is a powerful amplifier of life. This has to do with the makeup of happiness. It is a particular vibration with action on the body and mind, experienced as a lightness of being. When you are in this unique state of sustained happy, experiences of transcendence, such as clairvoyance and bliss beyond googleplex, more readily emerge.

Uplifting your body and mind requires that you reorient your thoughts and actions. Use all of your senses, to discern what is not beneficial. What brings sustained happiness is a result of those choices. Learning the need to prioritize happiness helped me to further develop my gifts. This was not easy to learn. Actually, it took decades, because no one had taught me to prioritize happy, and I had never come across it in any of my study. Now, it’s for you to know and share – and that’s about the only part that’s simple.

Giselle was a journalist with The Denver Post and is the author of “We are Here for a Purpose: HOW TO FIND YOURS” and the novel “Just Dance the Steps.” Her new romantacy “WYNTER’S DREAM” is now available.  Email Giselle with your question at [email protected]  To read more columns go to  www.gisellemassi.com