What is Happiness?
Happiness is the art of being fully present and alive to the experiences of the present moment. It occurs when we are simply alive and aware of what is happening within us and around us. Surprisingly, happiness has very little to do with external circumstances.
If our happiness depended solely on external factors, we would never truly attain it. This might explain why we spend our lives in a continual search for happiness, yet often fail to find it in tangible forms. Happiness is not about momentary excitement that ebbs and flows. For happiness to be genuine, it must be constant and woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
If we have not discovered this form of happiness, it is because we have forgotten how to access this true state of internal contentment. If our quest is merely for fleeting excitement, satisfied by our daily expectations being met or exceeded, then we are not truly seeking happiness. Happiness is far more real and tangible than we might imagine.
When we discover our true internal happiness, it becomes an integral part of our lives. Real happiness can never be lost, and any happiness that can be lost was never real to begin with. The genuine pursuit of happiness is, in essence, a quest for an internal state of contentment that is independent of our external circumstances. Happiness that depends on our bank balance, or similar external factors, is something else entirely, though we often label it as happiness. Let us explore how we can achieve true and lasting happiness.
Before we embark on our search for happiness, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on our greatest possession. What is the true source of our strength and inspiration? Upon what have we relied every time we’ve been down and out? What has enabled us to overcome life’s countless obstacles? What is the single most significant positive force in our life?
It is our very “Self,” isn’t it? Are we not our most significant possession? Are we not the greatest source of our own strength? Can anything be more powerful, positive, real, and constant than our Self? If the Self is our greatest possession, then discovering it is the essence of true happiness. The quest for happiness is, therefore, a quest for our true self. This is why happiness cannot be found externally. How can we expect to find happiness outside when the very source and foundation of happiness lies within us?
While this discussion might seem to border on the esoteric, touching upon spiritual or philosophical realms that appear distant or abstract, it actually speaks to the very core of our existence. The truth is, what we are seeking is ourselves. We are on a journey to discover who we truly are. Happiness, in its essence, is the pursuit of our most natural, simple, and constant internal state of being. We are the very happiness we seek.
The challenge lies in learning how to distinguish ourselves from the external happenings around us to fully experience our true selves. This doesn’t imply fleeing from everything. Escaping from the world isn’t feasible; the world has already made its way into our minds, and it’s not something we can easily dismiss. The art of finding happiness involves mastering the ability to remain internally detached from the external chaos, enabling us to stay deeply connected with the pleasant experience of the self.
Keys to Happiness
There are several practices we can incorporate into our daily lives to foster this internal state of happiness. Let’s explore some of these strategies:
1) Mindfulness and Awareness: Cultivating mindfulness and staying aware throughout the day can help us avoid falling into unnecessary negative thought patterns and maintain control over our situations.
2) Equanimity towards Feedback: Embrace both positive and negative feedback from your environment with equanimity. Remember, all judgments are merely subjective opinions; no one else can truly judge you accurately.
3) Living in the Present: Learn to relax and release constant preoccupations with the past and future. Develop a regular practice of being fully present. Happiness exists in the here and now.
4) Releasing Judgments: Refrain from constantly judging others. We are all shaped by our unique experiences and conditioning. Recognize that another person is essentially you, placed in a different set of circumstances. Judging others only diminishes your own peace of mind and wastes precious time.
5) Detached Attachment: Master the art of detached attachment. Learn to be fully engaged in activities or relationships while remaining unaffected by their outcomes. This balance allows for deep involvement without the emotional turbulence that often accompanies attachment.
6) Dedicate Time to Meditation: Aim to meditate for at least one hour daily. Meditation is a powerful tool for self-discovery and exploring the depths of your inner life.
7) Take Regular Breaks: Ensure you take breaks to relax and rejuvenate. It’s easy to become engrossed in activities and overlook the need for rest. Remember, adequate rest is essential for a happier life.
8) Stay Organized and Simplify: Work towards simplifying your life every day. Keeping things organized and embracing simplicity can significantly enhance your happiness. The joy often lies in the simplest of things.
9) Channel Your Creativity: Invest your time and energy in creative pursuits. Creativity is not just a source of happiness but a reflection of our innate tendency to create. Engaging in creative activities can unlock happiness from within.
10) Understand Happiness as a Foundation: Recognize that happiness is not a destination but the starting point. Instead of waiting for happiness to arrive with certain events, choose to be happy first, and watch how things align with your state of joy. Happiness is always just a momentary choice away. Make your happiness dependent on nothing but yourself.
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