9. Happiness.

 H A P P I N E S S

A. Reflections on Perceived Happiness and Inner Direction

In the current state of non-enlightenment, whenever I refer to “I”, “me”, “my”, or “mine”, it is essentially tied to this body, mind, and the material identity that I have come to associate as myself.

The happiness that I assume or mentally label is, in truth, quite strange.

It isn’t really happiness, yet for the sake of expression, I accept it as such. Besides, what makes it even more peculiar is that there is nothing constant about it.

For some, happiness lies in accumulating money.

For others, in spending it.

Even within myself, at times I find happiness in saving, and at other times in spending freely.

Similarly:

For some, happiness is respect and recognition.

For others, it is material possessions.

For some, it lies in receiving without effort.

For others, in giving generously.

For some, it is in the sense of being the doer.

For others, in the sense of being the experiencer.

And if I continue to reflect, there are countless such variations.

Even in something as simple as lifestyle, if I live in a certain way, and someone else lives differently, merely observing and analysing their life generates in me a sense of happiness or unhappiness.

However, in reality, this too is a misperception; an illusion that I have accepted as real joy or sorrow.

B. The Distance from Natural Happiness

The idea that true happiness is simple and inherent feels distant to me.

For what feels like an eternity, I have evaluated happiness based on parameters viz. comparison, influence, control, comfort, release from burden, and so on.

Because of this conditioning, what is natural (sahaj) is not even recognized typically as happiness.

The statement “happiness is within” remains more of a conceptual quote; something to express outwardly, sometimes even to create an impression that I understand it rather than something deeply realized.

C. Comfort, Substitution, and the Mind’s Adjustments

In practical life, my sense of happiness often operates through substitution.

If I step out of one comfort zone, I instinctively seek another.

For example, if I restrict my eating, there may be discomfort at a core level. But then, another layer of comfort arises; perhaps in the form of recognition, validation, or identity (“people should know I am doing this”).

So, the mind compensates.

The shift is not away from dependence. It is merely from one form of dependence to another.

D. Influence of Norms and Social Conditioning

When a behavior becomes normalized by the collective, the mind readily accepts it.

For instance, if going out to eat becomes a social norm, the mind finds comfort in aligning with it. The action is then justified as “There is no harm”.

On the other hand, when something is labelled as a “vice”, the same mind becomes burdened even if the inner inclination exists.

Interestingly, if that same “vice” is allowed in a different environment or context, it is performed with ease, even enthusiasm.

This reveals that the burden or freedom is not inherent in the act itself, but in the belief system surrounding it.

E. Restriction, Indulgence, and the Spring Effect

There are times when I restrain myself strongly like compressing a spring.

And then there are times when I release completely leading to overindulgence.

In restriction, there can be internal burden.

In indulgence, there can be unconsciousness and / or a feeling of intoxication.

Both extremes carry their own forms of imbalance.

For example, on certain days I may avoid specific foods with a strong sense of discipline and identity, believing I am doing something meaningful.

Yet on other days, I may consume the same without awareness and with immense indulgence.

This raises a deeper question:

Is the awareness consistent, or is it situational?

F. Two Parallel Domains of Living

There appear to be two distinct domains in life:

1. The Body–Mind Domain

This includes physical needs, habits, beliefs, preferences, and social conditioning; and it certainly limited to this lifetime (the current human birth).

2. The Soul–Spiritual Domain

This relates to the eternal; inner clarity, awareness, and liberation.

While the higher purpose lies in the upliftment of the soul, the body and mind cannot be ignored.

However, the key lies in balance, caring for the body without becoming consumed by it or supressing it to such an extent that everything (lower / higher purpose) goes for a toss.

G. Choice, Direction, and Consequence

Ultimately, it comes down to choices I make.

If I invest all my time and energy in nurturing the body, mind, and associated beliefs, I will receive outcomes aligned with that.

If I invest in inner purification and spiritual clarity, the results will reflect that direction.

If I mix both unconsciously, without clarity, I risk causing more confusion than growth.

However, a conscious balance where both are addressed with awareness, may serve the journey better.

H. A Subtle Shift in Understanding Happiness

Perhaps the goal is not to chase or define happiness with labels like “pure”, “natural”, or “eternal”.

Perhaps happiness, in its truest sense, does not need qualification.

What matters is vigilance i.e. Observing how perceived happiness operates, how it shifts, how it deceives, and how it conditions choices.

Through that awareness, the movement may naturally shift; from assumed happiness toward what simply is.

I. What Next?

A next layer could be: not choosing between the duality, but observing who is choosing and why!