Wondering what is happiness? Here's a question: How happy are you?
From January 2024, it seems as though everyone's on a rollercoaster ride. I've talked to so many people, Nearly all responses were on similar lines: "There's so much change happening in my personal and professional lines; it's crazy!!!! My whole life is changing so fast I can't keep up...."
Have you been feeling the same way too? Stay assured you aren't alone.
People experience or pursue happiness in different ways. Some find happiness in hurting and criticising others - they make it their life's mission! Others believe that name, fame and positions of power bring them happiness. There may also be intellectual geniuses and activists who can demonstrate excellence in how they present their findings and arguments most convincingly yet they too have their inner demons to tackle.
We are often chained and bound by the beliefs we bombard our lives with.
[Read: Can We Stop Being Judgmental?]
Remember, all these are myths. As Sanathana Dharma teaches us, nothing lasts forever and the insecurity of maintaining all of that baggage - yes, name, fame, wealth, etc - takes a toll eventually.
As Eknath Easwaran observes, "The secret of the mind is that it is a sponge; we slowly become what we soak our consciousness in."
What is a Happy Life?
Since time immemorial, the words of Gurus hold great cues on life and its true goal. Intellectual snobs are quick to dismiss it, as are many cynics and atheists. Often we refuse to believe what we cannot see - there lies another big pitfall. You cannot see air but you breathe it, don't you? You cannot see fragrance but you know it instantly, right? There are many things in this world that remain hidden secrets and mysteries - those hold precious cues.In fact, if you were to read our Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharat, there are so many beautiful cues we tend to miss out on.
A detailed reading and an intense study of the life of Sri Krishna brings instant joy.
Why?
Because when you take up any activity that is not tainted by a personal ambition, an 'ROI' target, a sense of doership that 'I am doing this' - when you shed layers of egoism during that activity, it cleanses your heart.
And as we all know, the heart is your true sanctuary and temple when it comes to your most authentic emotions and experiences.
When we cleanse our hearts, our thoughts gain clarity and quality, which in turn helps us excel in our personal and professional lives.
When we think something and do the opposite, the conflict we create within us and in our external spaces is intense. Dissolve the barriers we create in thought, word and deed and experience the difference.
[Read: Conversations with my Mother]
My Guru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba lovingly says:
"There is no distinction between Bhakti, Jnaana and Karma.
A block of Mysore pak has sweetness, weight and shape; the three cannot be separated, one from the other. Each little part of it has sweetness, weight and shape. We do not find shape in one part, weight in another and sweetness in a third. And when it is placed on the tongue, taste is recognised, weight is lessened and shape is modified, all at the same time.
So, too, the Jiva, the Atma and the Paramatma are not separate; they are one and the same.
In other words, each group of life's activities must be saturated with Karma, Bhakti and Jnana."
A thought to keep in mind when judging and finding fault with others.
"Your desire to be happy must include others' happiness." - Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
There is goodness in your heart - it's your treasure to protect and nurture.
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