What is purpose of life? It is to become happy. Whatever country
or society people live in, they all have the same deep desire: to
become happy.
Yet, there are few ideals as difficult to grasp as that of
unhappiness. In our daily life we constantly experience happiness
& unhappiness, but we are still quite ignorant as to what
happiness really is.
Happiness is a not a life without problems, but rather the strength
to overcome the problems that come our way. There is no such thing
as a problem-free life; difficulties are unavoidable. But how we
experience & react to our problems depends on us.
Buddhism teaches that we are each responsible for our own happiness
or unhappiness. Our vitality the amount of energy or lifeforce
we have is in fact the single most important factor in
determining whether or not we are happy.
True happiness is to be found within, in the state of our hearts.
It does not exist on the far side of some distant mountains, it is
within you, yourself. However much you try, you can never run away
from yourself. And if you are weak, suffering will follow you
wherever you go. You will never find happiness if you do not
challenge your weaknesses & change yourself from within.
Happiness is to be found in the dynamism & energy of your own
life as you struggle to overcome one obstacle after another. A
person who is active & free from fear is truly happy.
The challenges we face in life can be compared to a tall mountain,
rising before a mountain climber. For someone who has not trained
properly, whose muscles & reflexes are weak & slow, every
inch of the climb will be filled with terror & pain. The exact
same climb, however, will be a thrilling journey for someone who is
prepared, whose arms & legs have been strengthened by constant
training. With each step forward & up, beautiful new views will
come into sight.
There are two kinds of happiness relative & absolute
happiness. Relative happiness is happiness that depends on things
outside ourselves: friends & family, surroundings, the size of
our home or family income. This is what we feel when a desire
fulfilled or something we have longed for is obtained. While the
happiness such things bring us is certainly real, the fact is that
none of this lasts forever. Things change. People change. This kind
of happiness shatters easily when external conditions alter.
Absolute happiness, on the other hand, is something we must find
within. It means establishing a state of life in which we are never
defeated by trials, & where just being alive is a source of
great joy. This persists no matter what we might be lacking, or
what might happen around us. A deep sense of joy is something which
can only exist in the innermost reaches of our life, & which
cannot be destroyed by any external forces. It is eternal &
inexhaustible.
We should compare who we are today against who we were yesterday,
who we are today against who we will be tomorrow. While this may
seem simple & obvious, true happiness is found in a life of
constant advancement. And, the same worries that could have made us
miserable can actually be a source of growth when we approach them
with courage & wisdom.
A person with a vast heart is
happy.
Such a person lives each day with a broad & embracing
spirit.
A person with a strong will is happy.
Such a person can confidently enjoy life, never defeated by
suffering.
A person with a profound spirit is happy.
Such a person can savour life's depths while creating meaning &
value that will last for eternity.
A person with a pure mind is happy.
Such a person is always surrounded by refreshing breezes of
joy.
