Happiness

Every man looks for happiness, but most of them exchange pleasure for happiness.

Where is the difference? The real happiness is permanent, while pleasure not.

If a man thinks that his happiness is due to external causes and his possessions, it is reasonable to conclude that his happiness must increase with the increase of possessions and decrease in proportion with their diminution. Therefore if he is devoid of possessions, his happiness should be zero. In deep sleep the man is devoid of possessions, including his own body. Instead of being unhappy he is quite happy. Every one desires to sleep soundly. The conclusion is that happiness is inherent in man and is not due to external causes. One must realize his Self in order to open the store of unalloyed happiness.

The desire for happiness is a proof of the ever-existing happiness of the Self. Otherwise, how can desire for it arise in you? If headche was natural to human beings no one would try to get rid of it. But everyone that has a headache tries to get rid of it, because he has known a time when he had non headache. He desires only that which is natural to him. So he too desires happiness because happiness is natural to him. Being natural, it is not acquired. Man's attempt can only be to get rid of misery. When misery is eliminated, then the ever-present bliss is said to be gained. Pleasure that ends in pain is misery.

There is happiness at agreeable sights, music, poetry, etc.. It is the happiness inherent in the Self. That happiness is not alien or afar. You are diving into the Pure Self on occasions which you consider pleasurable. That diving reveals the Self-existent Bliss. But the association of ideas is responsible for foisting this bliss on to other things or happenings. In fact, it is within you. On these occasions you are plunging into the Self, though unconsciously. If you do so consciously you call it Realization. Dive consciously into the Self. What is this Self? Click here to know.