Posted by Damos on March 17, 2005, at 16:02:25
In reply to Happiness, posted by alexandra_k on March 16, 2005, at 23:10:03
Hmmmm, (he says reach a to his bookshelf for "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama) :-). Therefore I sadly cannot take credit for much of what follows.
It is interesting that the 'Western' word "happy" is derived from the Icelandic word happ, meaning luck or chance.
Yes, I do believe it is the natural tendency of people to move toward happiness, and to quote the Dalai Lama who when asked if happiness was a reasonable goal for most people, replied:
"Yes, I believe that happiness can be achieved through training the mind."
This contrasts sharply with Freud's belief that "one feels inclined to say that the intention that man should be 'happy' in not included in the plan of 'Creation'." This has led many in the psychiatric profession to believe that the best most people can hope for is "the transormation of hysteric misery into common unhappiness."
When asked to explain 'training the mind' he (The Dalai Lama) responded saying that the 'mind' he speaks of is not simply cognitive ability or intellect, but is closer to 'psyche' or 'spirit' and includes intellect and feeling, heart and mind, and "by bringing about a certain inner discipline we can undergo a transformation of our attitude, our entire outlook, and approach to living."
Alexandra_k it is difficult to explain my own thoughts on happiness other than to say that I do not define it as pleasure. It was a pleasureable act that in fact triggered one of my worst depressions - because of the total absence of happiness. I know with absolute certainty that no 'thing' can make me happy. Do I feel happy when I read a 'post' that moves me to tears and makes my heart break, causing me to reach out and 'post' a reply, however inadequate - absolutely. It is the sense of connecting and wanting to ease that persons burden of suffering and wishing them love, feeling deepest compassion for them and hoping for healing that are happiness. So I guess it is not the absense of 'pain' but of 'suffering' that brings happiness. $%^&%^^%*%&^&!!!!!! For example I have an 'attachment' to my parents and sisters, but no 'connection' and this is a source of great unhappiness for me. But on the other hand I have no 'attachment' to any 'poster' in a conventional sense but experience a deep sense of 'connectedness' with all who come to this place. This is a source of much happiness.
I guess what I'm trying pathetically to get to is that 'happiness' is not the only important thing, but practicing all those things that create 'happiness' for all. I'll end this ramble with a quote from Shantideva.
Whatever joy there is in this world
All comes from desiring others to be happy,
And whatever suffering there is in this world
All comes from desiring myself to be happy.
poster:Damos
thread:471916
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050316/msgs/472150.html