Happiness V

 

Happiness is the state of One’s mind- how a man should ‘turn’ himself to the environment of the present world is of vital importance to day. The happenings around us are not satisfactory and no individual is happy. The problem arises because each one is self-centred and possesses ego.

If Happiness is defined as a state of pleasure and contentment. It is now evident that external factors like wealth, status or beauty can’t ensure happiness. And interestingly, according to research in the University of California about 50 % of happiness is genetic and about 10% is dependent on circumstances. That leaves 40 % unexplained. “There is no medical or psychiatric definition of happiness. Happiness is usually defined as a state of satisfaction. It involves satisfaction with one’s state of physical’ mental and emotional health and has a lot to do with their social, spiritual and financial side of life too.

(Alferd B Ford, the great Grandson of the Legendary Henry Ford, was born into one of American richest families, the tycoon who gave the world the Motor Car and the assembly line.  As he himself says that he belong to a family which has everything, still there was unhappiness and frustration.)

God has created human beings to experience both happiness and grief, enjoy pleasures, and also face obstacles. Invariably, they meet with more number of problems than prosperous situations. The adversities are mainly due to the fact that people have swerved from the path of duty and have failed to carry out their religious obligations with faith and sincerity. Spiritual exercises ought not to be neglected and scriptural texts tell us how to combat evil and derive the moral strength by upholding the rules of righteousness.

In the past wise people who witnessed similar discontent earlier were able to offer the solution to make the world a place to live. Thinkers of today are also in the same position. The need is that the individual should adjust him to the surroundings. This can be achieved not anatomically or structurally but mentally.

If a man changes, the environment will change. But this should come from within, inside the hearts and not through legislation or other methods. The mental/ attitude should undergo a transformation. So long as men’s attitude remains selfish, the world will sink lower and lower and the poor will remain poor. Men should rise to a higher level, giving up selfishness and desires. What God means by his statement has been presented in the Holy Scriptures?

An elucidation of this point is the example of a mirror, which will reflect an object in its Front as it is, if there is an image not charming, the defect is not of the mirror but that of the person. Any number changes of the mirror will be of no avail. Like wise people show changes.

Though man has been broadly classified as extraordinary, the average and the dull, there is a superior class who fall in the category of the distinguished and the wise. They generally lead a life of simplicity and austerity and the only goal is to serve humanity and render them assistance to get rid of their problems and if necessary guide them properly. They may out speak but will never be offensive.

Going to the ocean, a fisherman will be happy with a big catch, with which he can obtain money. Some other may go in for pearls and someone may dive deep to get more precious items. Some may try to strike oil and become rich. All of them seek only wealth.

But the spiritual guides are like the clouds, which bears the evaporated water from the sea, and empty it elsewhere on the standee crops. These types of people will spread essence of love. Associating with there spiritual guides should be considered a privilege.

He who is happy himself has the capability of making other human beings happy. Happiness comes from within. It is a state of mind and, of course, it is the mind. That guides the body. And pray. What is it that guides both mind and body! Well, it is the

Atama. It is the soul that gives an individual his or her permanent identity.

The body gives only a temporary identity for one life. The soul is there as your own identity in life after life. It is the soul that enriches itself through action, Soul may impoverish itself though a different set of karma.

Karma is the most important and essential aspect of advancement or backwardness of a soul. What is it that guides a soul on the path of progress to enable it to achieve its aim? The Veda or the divine knowledge- celestial jyana- to guide all souls in their journeys though this mundane world.