The pursuit of happiness has a different dimension and involves conscious choices. It is not a rat race for money, achievement or power. Swami Rama Tirtha said, “Your only duty in life is to be happy”. We often end up doing everything else except be happy.
Happiness is contagious. A person bursting with good spirits touches people with his joyful glow. It could be a street sweeper cheerfully greeting morning walkers or a waiter making people laugh with his witty exchanges as he serves them. On the other hand, a stressed-out executive spreads gloom around him. People quietly walk away from the despondent vibes he exudes.
Happiness draws us to a higher purpose. Our brains are wired to seek people, situations and events that bring joy, cheer and happiness. Joyful people are fun to be with. They work better and are more generous – with their money, time and their enthusiasm. They give of themselves in every way.
We tend to get engulfed in feelings of deprivation, want and deficiency. Instead, why not wake up to the abundance you have been blessed with? You have plenty of resources, energy, time and everything you need. Be aware of all that has been bestowed on you and there will be no place for depression, sadness or misery.
Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go out and do it. When you identify your core interest or talent, life changes. Every day you jump out of bed looking forward to one more fun day, working on something you are passionate about. Develop the attitude of giving, sharing, adding value to others. Shift from grabbing to serving, from profiteering to offering. When you give, you gain. Think of taking and you get impoverished. All givers are happy.
We tend to get entrenched in feelings of separateness that give rise to aversion and disgust for people. If you view everyone as a competitor and adversary, then, you then have to protect yourself from imaginary enemies. The Vedas say the whole universe is one family. If you see otherness, it is your delusion. You have been programmed to be happy only when good things happen to you. You get a promotion, you are happy. If your colleague is promoted you are unhappy! But if you feel one with the colleague you celebrate his promotion as if it were yours. Expand your oneness to include all. Feel one with the entire world and your happiness increases by the trillions.
Understand that the world is a mix of pairs of opposites; it constantly changes and is unpredictable. A year ago, who would have imagined the havoc that Covid-19 has caused? So acquire the best that the world has to offer, enjoy it to the hilt but never depend on it. The best and the worst will come. But it will go. Shift base to yourself. Happiness lies inside you. This is why in your happiest moments you shut your eyes, whether you are relishing a delicious dessert or savouring the highs of emotional ecstasy. Then you find true happiness independent of the world. You tap into the fountainhead of infinite happiness. This is the state of Perfection the Vedas speak of.
Bhagwad Gita webinars by Jaya Row every Saturday, 6.30 to 7.30 pm, followed by a Q&A session. Register free at www.vedantavision.org/gita.
COMMENTS