Happiness, where art thou?

When can we be really happy? Man thinks foolishly that he can make himself happy, and after years of struggle finds out at last that true happiness consists in killing selfishness and that no one can make him happy except himself. So long as there is desire, no real happiness can come. (Yet, all that we desire is happiness. However, once we tire our mind of running here and there and everywhere in pursuit of it, we shall realise that it lies right within us) Swami Vivekananda taught that it is only the contemplative, witnesslike study of objects that brings to us real enjoyment and happiness. Which means that if we flow away with the current of things, whether sorrowful or happy, we can never attain to ever lasting bliss. Happiness presents itself before man wearing a crown of sorrow on its head. He who welcomes it MUST also welcome sorrow. In the Swami's words, 'What we want is neither happiness nor misery. Both are chains, one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman which knows neither hapiness nor misery.'

If having desires is the root cause of all unhappiness, how do we remove them? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, 'When you desire truth, all other desires drop off. You always desire something that is not there but truth is always there. Desire for truth removes all other desires, then it dissolves and what remains is bliss.'

But, what about the desires that spring from the need to sustain the body? The thirst for water, the hunger for food? If we are denied these, won't we be miserable? The Bible says (1 Timothy 6:7-9) 'For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.'

Guess I can live with the above explanations for now. If anyone reads this post and has a different take, I shall be happy to partake of it.