Everyone wants to be happy. Whether one be a European, American, African, Jew, Christian or whatever, still happiness is sought by all. We endeavor to cultivate those activities or situations which bring us pleasure, and conversely try to avoid unpleasant things. Of course, happiness is relative and what may be happiness for one may be poison for another. Each species has a certain standard of happiness it may hanker for, and what is happiness for a human is different than that of a pig. At least it should be.
The ancient teachings of the Bhagavad Gita explain that basically there are two types of happiness, one being material and the other spiritual. The former is the general pursuit of this world, whereas the latter is a mystery to many, but a truth to a few fortunate persons.
Material happiness is pleasure derived from stimulation of the body through the senses, having the mind as their hub. Someone may stimulate the tongue with some palatable foods or the ears with their preferred music. One may derive his happiness from sporting activities, whilst another through use of intoxicants. However, the problem with such bodily pleasures is that they are limited and temporary. As the body is temporary, so any happiness derived through it's stimulation is also temporary. Whilst performing our activities we become attached to those situations which bring us pleasure, yet they must come to an end at some point, ultimately being completely lost at the time of death. Such happiness is therefore a source of unhappiness. Whether it be a romance with a loved one or a vacation from work, we wish it could last forever, yet when our partner dies or the holiday is over, it often bring us great pain or remorse. Material happiness is always accompanied by it's converse in the shape of distress within this world of duality. They are two sides of the same coin, we can not have one without the other. To bathe in cold water during the scorching summer brings great relief and refreshment, yet in the freezing wintertime it is, for most, a terrible experience.
Some believe that sex life is the highest form of happiness, but if this were the case then the prostitute would be the most joyful person. However, they are generally the most unhappy and frustrated with their sex life, and if one contracts one of the numerous diseases through sex, then suffering is the only outcome. Even unexpected pregnancy often leads one to reconsider whether it was all worth it, not to mention if abortion of the unprotected child is opted for, as this is said to be one of the most cruelest and sinful acts, bringing only future suffering.
Relief from an unpleasant or disturbing situation is often taken to be happiness. We may be hungry and find happiness from filling our bellies, or through erotic acts we may find relief from sexual frustration. We may even think "As soon as I pay off my debts or get money, then I will be happy". However, in the true sense this is not real happiness but a mitigation from some frustration. Whether it be one's own body or mind giving some difficulty such as toothache or depression; or from another living entity such as a mosquito; or from natural disturbances such as rain or drought, this world is full of unpleasant situations. To find relief from these disturbances does not necessarily mean that one has found happiness, one has simply removed a disturbance. In fact, material happiness is compared to attempting to quench one's thirst with a single drop of water when one is in the desert. Certainly more than a drop is required if one is dehydrated.
Another example is of a medieval torture practice whereby the victim is held under water just until he would die and then brought up for air. Upon drinking that desperately needed air the victim thinks, "Oh, how wonderful and sweet, now I am fine." However, immediately he is thrust again under water for repeated pain. Relief from frustration is not actual happiness.
All of the pleasures of this world have been regurgitated for countless centuries that they are like finding a piece of chewing gum under your desk and thinking that you may find some joy in eating it, chewing what so many have already chewed. So many have tried to enjoy with these temporary facilities, yet many have realized the futility and sought to deepen their existence and experience on levels of permanent and ever increasing happiness. In fact it is said that only two persons are happy in this world; the self realized soul engaged in spiritual acts, and the foolish person oblivious to the consequences of his activities.
Only when we know what is our actual identity beyond these temporary bodies will we understand what is our real happiness and where to find it.
To be continued........
An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. O son of Kuntī, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them. Bhagavad Gita 5.22
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