How to Achieve Happiness

[Rich]

Any time the subject of happiness comes up, I'm reminded of this passage from one of my favorite novels. The Count of Monte Cristo.

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.

If we accept that the past is irrelevant to our experience of the present moment, is there really any such thing as happiness at all? Perhaps the concept of it is nothing more than a convenient fiction.

Gassho,
W


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Well if we didn't repress our feelings then yes the past would be irrelevant to the present. But that would take a perfect Buddha to accomplish.

So I agree with the Count that experiencing the greatest grief, truly becoming it, frees you to enjoy the peace, love and wonder of this moment.

Sat today

[Washin]

Gassho
Washin
sat today

[Theophan]

Thank You

Gassho

Sekishi
(Theophan)
Sat Today

[Jundo]

Any time the subject of happiness comes up, I'm reminded of this passage from one of my favorite novels. The Count of Monte Cristo.

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.

If we accept that the past is irrelevant to our experience of the present moment, is there really any such thing as happiness at all? Perhaps the concept of it is nothing more than a convenient fiction.

Gassho,
W


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I like to be happy! Nothing wrong with happy! YIPPEE!

But crazy fellow that I am, I also kinda like now to be sad. Sad is life too. Nothing wrong with sad sometimes (although sometimes it is really hard, and not as much fun as happy). YIPPEE!

Gassho, J

[William]

Any time the subject of happiness comes up, I'm reminded of this passage from one of my favorite novels. The Count of Monte Cristo.

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.

If we accept that the past is irrelevant to our experience of the present moment, is there really any such thing as happiness at all? Perhaps the concept of it is nothing more than a convenient fiction.

Gassho,
W


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[monkeymind]

There are a lot of very unhappy people in the world who are searching for some sort of relief from their misery. That is the first Noble Truth. Now, while HHDL is a very spiritual man, if he were to come right out and state all the Buddha's teachings many would lose interest and turn away before they learned any more. I believe he is using the word "happiness" to mean "an end to suffering", which is the third Noble Truth. I have read some of his writings and he does tend to emphasize the second and fourth Truths, in that our Western culture does focus on achieving "happiness" through inherently unsuccessful means and he hints at the "simple" ways of the Eight-Fold Path. The Dalai Lama is a very intelligent and joyful man who has clearly attained a great insight into life and he has the bodhisattva wish to end others' suffering. His teaching is very sincere and well-crafted and may just lead one suffering being to find an end to his or her unhappiness. Isn't that the mahayana way?

[LucardieC]

Happiness is found within.
One finds happiness with each breath, each encounter and each understanding of energy of life.
We all all happy, there are days in which is it is just more apparent to us.

Wonderful comments for everyone, thank you for sharing.
Gassho,
Chelsea

[bagpuss]

I beleve that happinessis aipeak experienc not something that can be sustained over time whilst contentment has a much better chance.
Gasho

[gilles]

nice reading.i feel good.
_/\_
gilles

NOT meaning to sound like a Debbie Downer here, but I have found that this practice seems to suggest that the moments of "Great Happiness" are just as fleeting and perhaps illusory as the rest. I am not suggesting that we do not enjoy these for what they are, but for me, I have seen less of a push to make these happen. I am beginning to be just as "Happy" on Monday Morning as I am on Friday afternoon. Another thing I have noticed is the things that used to make me happy don't really do much for me anymore. I also seem to notice that some of the things that other's seems to have great desire for, are no longer as important. There definitely seems to be a much greater difference between "Big H happiness" and escapism.
Gassho
C

I don't think you sound like a Debbie Downer at all. It's reality, and a much healthier way to live. Yes, life is wonderful when surrounded by people, events, or things that are fun and entertaining. But sometimes the down times, or the "Monday mornings" of our life, can have equally wonderful components to them.

For me personally, with practicing Zen, I've noticed things I do for an escape, almost an avoidance to avoid stress or anxiety. Being mindful of these things has helped me to stop the escaping, and just sit with what is. I grew up on a farm and had this one really wild horse that I used to ride. I always liken the avoidance and just sitting like taking that wild horse, and restraining him. Oh, he hates it and wants to run, buck, and rear up. But, with just sitting, he is forced to just sit.

Gassho,
Joyo

[Ishin]

NOT meaning to sound like a Debbie Downer here, but I have found that this practice seems to suggest that the moments of "Great Happiness" are just as fleeting and perhaps illusory as the rest. I am not suggesting that we do not enjoy these for what they are, but for me, I have seen less of a push to make these happen. I am beginning to be just as "Happy" on Monday Morning as I am on Friday afternoon. Another thing I have noticed is the things that used to make me happy don't really do much for me anymore. I also seem to notice that some of the things that other's seems to have great desire for, are no longer as important. There definitely seems to be a much greater difference between "Big H happiness" and escapism.

Gassho
C

[Jinyo]

However, such is possible too, and lemons are filled with juicy life.



My 12 year old niece was telling me about 'sayings' that she found helpful. As she was leaving she said (with a big smile) - 'when life gives you lemons make lemonade'

Gassho

Willow

[Vincinho]

I really don't think any serious (another great word, eh?) practitioner of any lineage of Buddhism means to deceive with words like happiness, mindfulness, loving-kindness or any other Buddhism-ness. It was merely a matter of trying to pick good translations for well established concepts. HOWEVER, I'm really not sure I can say the same about some major publishing houses and the burgeoning McMindfulness culture. In that case I suspect deception in aid of book sales may really be at hand, even when what's inside the book is genuine.

Gassho,

Dave.

Ah yes, very true, Jundo. Good reminder

Gassho,
Joyo

[Jundo]

There is a Sweet (Big "S") which holds sweet, sour and all the other sensations and textures of the tongue.

Gassho, J