Pursuit of Happiness

[AlefBet]

Try and define happiness. Is it the joy when u strike the lottery? Is it the satisfaction of having a good dinner? Is it the fuzzy feeling that you get when you enjoy the company of your family? Is it the excitement of going on a shopping spree? Are you feeling Happy all the time?

No. One may generally be happy most of the time but there will be times when one is feeling neutral, or unhappy. Some may say it is only normal. But isn't it a meaningless cycle when we chase happiness after happiness and yet still are not completely happy? It is almost as if we are chasing false happiness. So what is this happiness pursuit that we humans are crazy about?

[vivamis123]

My very nature is to be happy and I believe this to be true for every human being. It is the seeking, needing and desire that keeps us from experiencing our true Self....as happy.

True, lasting happiness is not subject to anything....for everything is outside of my Self. It is I.....that alone IS.

[Chaitanyananda]

The pursuit is what happens when we try to look outside ourselves for happiness. Happiness cannot be found outside ourselves. Even if we experience momentary happiness from something, it is actually ourselves from which the happiness comes. As soon as we realize we are what we are seeking when we seek happiness, then we open the door for a more permanent happiness to settle because that knowledge strips away that which covers our true nature.

[RevKathyV]

Very good!!!

[mooomooo]

Hi .

Depression is everywhere .

Happiness is here for us if we can find it .

A person will always get help from people for the basics , food water and shelter . With those three we will survive .

All else is ''bonus'' , A computer , TV , a pet , car etc . If we want ''bonus'' we go work for it etc , but happiness is the basic needs and Social Agencies , Worship Places etc will always help the needy get the three basics .

The matrix of these three is love and love will always be here and available . The rest is bonus .

[octavius]

Originally Posted by Chaitanyananda

The pursuit is what happens when we try to look outside ourselves for happiness. Happiness cannot be found outside ourselves. Even if we experience momentary happiness from something, it is actually ourselves from which the happiness comes. As soon as we realize we are what we are seeking when we seek happiness, then we open the door for a more permanent happiness to settle because that knowledge strips away that which covers our true nature.

I politely disagree. Happiness for me is a job well done. I set my mind in motion to accomplish something, and when I succeed, I'm happy. Yes, external acts of kindness also make me happy, but from the Suitheistic point of view, productive happiness is created by the individual alone.

Octavius

[shaw-n]

I think most people confuse happiness and satisfaction.
Satisfaction has to do with your standards, which if they are high, one will be unsatisfied much of the time, unless they are perfect in their ways.
If their standards/expectations are low, then they will be satisfied with what others would consider unacceptable, this allows for much less personal perfection.
But the essence of happiness is there regardless.
Hap-py, hap being luck, as the root word, so this has to do with your state of mind and if you are able to be happy/lucky in your mental state you will find things working out according to what you desire and this will bring satisfaction.