The
only happiness there is, is of the Self. That is the truth. There is no
happiness in worldly objects. Because of our ignorance we imagine we derive
happiness from them.
–
Ramana Maharshi
Everyone
wants to be happy. This seems to be a
basic truth. At the same time we seem to
be very bad at making it happen.
Happiness seems to be very fleeting and illusive. We project this concept of happiness onto “objects:”
commodities, relationships, “vacation getaways,” sexual experiences, real
estate, career success, children and family, escape from children and family .
. . This list could go on and on and
might be a lot of fun. The wisdom of
experience tells us that what makes us happy one day may very well make us
miserable on another.
What
is this “happiness” we seek? Can it be
found in a possession, another person, a degree, a job, location, community,
pill or fast food meal? Put this way most
of us would say no. On the other hand we
go about our lives unconsciously seeking for satisfaction through any and all
of these. We are like “hungry ghosts.” Hungry ghosts are beings within the Tibetan
Buddhist view who live in a special kind of hell where they suffer from a
hunger that can’t be satisfied.
Any
kind of happiness that we experience which is dependent on the objects and
events of the world is bound to be temporary at best. When we pursue happiness through material
means we are bound to suffer. We are
seeking outside of ourselves for what we already are. Happiness is an inner state of being, we
mistakenly correlate it with the things and circumstances of our lives. As we begin to awaken we realize that these
are unnecessary. Real happiness arises
when we are connected with the Self. It
is not dependent on anything or anyone.
