Pleasure of the world are always attractive in the beginning.

Pleasure of the world are always attractive in the beginning, but their consequences are terrible and hard to endure, like the temporary pleasure derived by scratching an itch but the sensation turning painful and intolerable a little later. The mind of the man even as the horse with blinkers takes its route straight, should be restrained and made to develop an aversion to worldly objects and not stray into evil paths.

Emperors have left this world but their pious deeds in the form of tanks, roads, shelter, homes, and temples edifices- still remains. Even man who upholds religious traditions cannot easily get rid of the powerful forces of desire and attachment.

Happiness means different things to different people. This is especially so in the context of varying lifestyles prevalent today and the issues that a lot of us are living with and identifying ourselves with. Is happiness really the excitement of FIFA football match of the last ball or watching the rank outsider win the derby by a short head? The hysteria accompanying an excessive and loud lifestyle needs to be looked at so that we can determine whether we can really hope to find true and long term happiness through such indulgences. Thou actually expect happiness in the make believe world of psychedelic lights and the rhythmic beats of discotheques is as for removed from genuine happiness as taking a mirage oasis to be a capable of quenching one’s thirst. These are the make believe world ventured in to by disturbed insecure individual with low self esteem and belies any hope of Happiness, mirages and delusions cater to the sensate an immediate at the cost of slamming the lid on our sensibilities and our innocence.

Happiness in Indian philosophical system is a heavily loaded term. To understand the quality of true happiness also means that we need to define Sorrow or suffering. Lord Buddha was very clear in his definition of suffering and about what constitutes true happiness. He propounded as the cornerstone of his teachings the four noble truths. These truths according to him were intrinsic as well as peculiar to this World, and pervaded all Worldly activity. These four noble truths were the truth of suffering, its cause, the cessation or end of suffering by realizing true happiness and the method or path leading to cessation of suffering and of attaining to a state of true happiness. Happiness as experienced by the wise sages and yogis. Is something that is peaceful, serene, harmonious, and happy. Yet, at the same time. It is not exuberant. A smooth flow of energy accompanied by calmness projects steadiness and an integrating quality.

The yogi immersed in his cauldron of true happiness and bliss conjures up the image of a being, which is alone in this vast ocean of humanity. He is a part of, yet remains quite apart and is ever growing in his knowledge of god’s will for him and having the power to carry out the role god has planned or determined for him. In the yogi one finds a cosmic whole that far from being in the nature of a black hole is more in the nature of a quasar brightest object in the universe. Against the backdrop of a chaotic society and humdrum of today’s turbulent life, it is a relaxed state free of stress. He is one who observes the goings on and plays of World with a witness-like attitude or Shakshi-ending roller coaster with undistinguished equanimity. He is not perturbed, nor is the unduly excited.

It is not that the pattern of the yogi’s life stays unchanged. The external environment is always in a flux of change for him just as it is for all of us but the yogi remains undaunted and rarely influenced. Just as in the laws pertaining to nature there are a few eclipses and occasional leap years, so too are minor disturbances and infiltration to a yogi’s calm. All alone, however, he is detached and free from the clutched of World. He is now beyond Sorrow.

It is a well-known fact that happiness is vital for good health. Corroborating this theory, a study conducted at Duke University Medical Centre, USA, proves that adults who are happy, but are suffering from a heart disease, have a 20% more chance of living longer. Thoughts and emotions are controlled by hormones in the brain. Just as electricity moves from pole to pole, in the brain, impulses have to jump from cell to cell. The intervening space between nerve cells is controlled by neurochemicals or neuro-hormons. Any alteration in this will produce change in behaviour, thought and emotions. Genetically, people have a certain concentration of neuro-hormones and depending on that; people will be happy or sad. The experience is further modified by external circumstances.

The study revealed that though a constant state of happiness isn’t necessary, avoiding emotional lows is vital for a long life. This is because happy people are less likely to suffer from psychometric problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Different states of mind are associated with the release of different chemicals and hormones in various parts of the body. Happiness and pleasure are associated with the release of dopamine in the brain. Sadness is associated with the release of steroid hormones, which are circulated through the bloodstream to different parts of the body. This is why states of mind can affect the health and physiology of the entire body. However, happiness is also associated with other positive chemical and hormonal changes and same holds good for sadness.

The ever-expanding field of positive psychology emphasises human strengths rather than weaknesses as a way of life. People who are positive and happy have a higher immunological cell count and can combat diseases better. The new IT culture and changing life styles are creating great stress, which in turn affect happiness.

One needs to remember that happiness does not mean an absence of difficulties, and not a continuous state either as it has been noticed that people go through mood changes. Anti depressants can reduce unhappiness but cannot artificially keep you happy all the time. Use of substances like alcohal and drugs usually work on the prevailing mood of the person and amplifies it. To be really happy, a person needs to accept that good things and bad things are a part of life. They must not be too reactive whenever something bad happens.

These drugs are usually addictive and can have damaging short-and long-term consequences on a person’s physical and mental health, and on his social and occupational performance. 

Three factors governing the lives of most men are.

1.         The tendency to amass wealth.

2.         To remain deeply attached to their spouses and

3.         To display extraordinary affection towards their children.

The greed to get- rich- quick may even make them resort to illegal methods though they may possess enormous wealth; this has to be curbed.

It is a paradox that among God’s creations particularly human beings some are placed in a comfortable position and enjoy life, while others always face adversity and do not even understand the very meaning of happiness. A general explanation for this is assigned to wealth- that those who possess money can get their problems solved and remain unaffected even by severe jolts. On the other hand the poor go through ordeals because they have no means to put up resistance. This reasoning feels flat when we see so many rich men spreading restless days due to worries while some among the deprived always remain contented.   

A story told of a man who with his wife and son and carrying a bundle containing money was crossing a river. A sudden flood made him discarded the bag first. Giving up his wife, when the floodwater threatened his own life followed this; he left the child too. He clung the son till the end because he was of the view that while it may be possible to choose another woman as his partner, a child is a gift of God and cannot be obtained without his blessing.