I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright I'll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright 'Cause I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love” This famous Beatles song was written by Paul when the band was in Paris in January 1964 during their 18-day concert tour at the Olympia Theatre.
What was true some 40 years back is very much true even today.Life has some eternal rules ,which never change at all .Mankind’s quest for Happiness is one such elusive journey which every one undertakes but realizes that like life the journey may not have any destinations at all.
The reason I wanted to explore the relative concept of happiness is not because I want to be happy but the truth is that we find reasons to keep ourselves unhappy. “They say Ignorance is bliss” & “Knowledge is power” the knowledge of not knowing what you don’t know is what leads to the blissful state of ignorance, otherwise one will always strive to know more.
What leads to Happiness?
This is the questions being asked every now and then, from Gita to Bible, Koran to Modern Age guru’s everyone has an answer. Some academics have spent years pursuing the link between happiness and money. To some, the link is the keystone to why we spend. And spend. And spend some more. In a research work by groups of people from academics, psychologists, economists and social scientists from places like the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Illinois, the University of Southern California, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Virginia came up with some interesting findings.
Money doesn't really make us very happy. Not only do we want what we don't have, we really don't know what we want, and we think the things that we want will make us happy, which they tend not to do.
The Bhagvata Gita says “You have said that happiness is the highest object. I do not comprehend this. This attribute of the soul that (you say) is so desirable is not sought by the Rishis who are regarded to be engaged in something promising a higher reward. It is heard that the Creator of the three worlds, viz., the puissant Brahma, lives alone, observant of the vow of Brahmacharya (celibacy).
What was true some 40 years back is very much true even today.Life has some eternal rules ,which never change at all .Mankind’s quest for Happiness is one such elusive journey which every one undertakes but realizes that like life the journey may not have any destinations at all.
The reason I wanted to explore the relative concept of happiness is not because I want to be happy but the truth is that we find reasons to keep ourselves unhappy. “They say Ignorance is bliss” & “Knowledge is power” the knowledge of not knowing what you don’t know is what leads to the blissful state of ignorance, otherwise one will always strive to know more.
What leads to Happiness?
This is the questions being asked every now and then, from Gita to Bible, Koran to Modern Age guru’s everyone has an answer. Some academics have spent years pursuing the link between happiness and money. To some, the link is the keystone to why we spend. And spend. And spend some more. In a research work by groups of people from academics, psychologists, economists and social scientists from places like the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Illinois, the University of Southern California, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Virginia came up with some interesting findings.
Money doesn't really make us very happy. Not only do we want what we don't have, we really don't know what we want, and we think the things that we want will make us happy, which they tend not to do.
The Bhagvata Gita says “You have said that happiness is the highest object. I do not comprehend this. This attribute of the soul that (you say) is so desirable is not sought by the Rishis who are regarded to be engaged in something promising a higher reward. It is heard that the Creator of the three worlds, viz., the puissant Brahma, lives alone, observant of the vow of Brahmacharya (celibacy).
He never devotes himself to the happiness obtainable from the gratification of desire. Also, the divine Master of the universe, the lord of Uma (Siva), reduced Kama (the deity of desire) to extinction. For this reason, we say that happiness is not acceptable to high-souled people. Nor does it appear to be a high attribute of the Soul.Ultimately for true happiness, transcend, renunciation or acceptance. Both presuppose egoism and attachment which spring from ignorance.
The Bible says “Blessed (happy) is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding". Prov 3:13. Acc. to the Koran “ Absolutely, God's allies will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. For them happiness in this life, and in the Hereafter. Such is God's inviolable law. This is the true triumph [10:62-64]
The Bible says “Blessed (happy) is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding". Prov 3:13. Acc. to the Koran “ Absolutely, God's allies will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. For them happiness in this life, and in the Hereafter. Such is God's inviolable law. This is the true triumph [10:62-64]
The real happiness lies in the truth and awarenss about the fact that the sheer desire to achieve happiness and strive for it, will lead to unhappiness.So the mantra is "accept your life the way it is" and always strive to make others happy ,I guess that will never make you unhappy.
3 comments:
So true!
it doesnt matter what the Bhagwat Gita or the Bible says about Happiness, its an emotion, like sadness and anger; it is for you to feel; not for the books to feel for you! you can be happy with or without money, money isnt even a criteria! too bad for all those people who wasted years to figure that much out; you dont have to be a Social Scientist to know that!
I think that this requires a lot of introspection as to when to accept life as it comes and when to enforce change. Both are equally true when the cirucmstances warrant it. For instance, in the current Jessica lal murder case, "Accept your life as it is" would be a little misleading.(In case you want to contribute goto http://unityisstrength.blogspot.com)
Coming back to the main point, our Shastras propound Viveka or discrimination and discretion which should be used in all matters such as these.I agree with the fact though that thinking about others can never make you unhappy.
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