Spiritual Portal

What is it to you? And what makes people happy? I mean, we're told by eastern religions that materialism is the root of unhappiness, so naturally the opposite would make you happy. But is the answer really that simple? Because I believe that everything can be lost (therefore, everything is material). Even wisdom is lost when passing between lives. What we retain, is the discipline to gain this wisdom. So then what makes us happy? Or is happiness simply something meant to distract us from the fact that we loose everything when we move on? No, I think happiness is a state of mind reached when something meaningful is accomplished, and our soul congratulates us on pulling ourselves through.
Whats your take?

hi Om,

I like your answer. I think happiness means different things to different people,  at different times in their life. It seems to me that happiness is just a fleeting moment, that turns into memories before you realize it. Happiness is rather elusive at times, when one reaches for it, it vanishes, just out of reach.

Into Blue

When we meditate and practice the presence a lot...
Suddenly we find we are very happy. How do i know that I'm happy? The more 'things' you think about that would only take away from that happiness if you had them ..the more happy you are and in the presence of God. If you have ever been so happy that you could not contain it and just burst out in tears of happiness you realize that nothing literally nothing from the world would make you more happy. It might not last but you will never forget it and you will know that how ever many times you fall back into seeking happiness in the world your goal is to be in that state always.  :D

I wish I was a member here when you've posted this... I really appreciate your thoughts. "What we retain, is the discipline to gain this wisdom"
I think this is proof I'm a new soul here, as I have little discipline.... But, on the flip, Experience can make people happy. Whatever that experience... Even a seeming unhappy experience....
After time does its thing... Even those that have attained discipline at times, yearn to experience what it means to be new again. Naïve to this world... Or so I've been told.

Eric sometimes certain words make a difference for you that might not for someone else. I noticed the Om left his email so you might consider emailing him....Telling him what you said here.

Steve

It is dawning more and more on my awareness that we cannot help others be happy when they refuse to want to be happy. Unless we genuinely believe we can say something that might cheer them up it may b better to just b silent and find others that r happy or enjoy our own happiness.

Happiness is not a condition dependent upon outward conditions but rather a state of being. There is a way to 'connect' with happiness. It comes thru meditation. This kind of happiness is more lasting then happiness that is dependent upon outward conditions which can change suddenly. Duality is a condition of this material existence; so being here, we are subject to alternating states of sadness and happiness. However rising above duality, flattening the waves of thought and entering peace, bliss, joy and happiness is beyond the conditions of earthly existence. This is possible thru the continuing practice of meditation.

Happiness is also attainable by just the absolute knowing.

It is a state of being. The absolute knowing comes from meditation practice.

Happiness does not come from this material plane. It comes from within. Happiness is expressed outwardly in service to others and that happiness is found in the inner recesses of meditation. First we experience peace and then the deeper state of bliss, joy  love and expansion of consciousness. We r only able to express the state of being that we experience. This is not selfishness but rather SELF ness.

So we should b concerned with happiness and the happiness of others. Without happiness we cannot b receptive to the inflow of spirit. It is something we cultivate and aspire for moment by moment and day by day. True happiness is independent of conditions and environment. These can change and leave us unhappy. However if we r happy inside these changing conditions have less and less chance to affect our inner happiness.

If our happiness is not developed to a great extent we have to keep our little garden of happiness free from the insects of worry,  the dryness of drought - that is expressed because of the lack of persistent effort at meditation - to water our small plants of happiness. Also the animals of gloom- in the form of people who make little or no effort to b happy and cast dark clouds wherever they go.

For some.

Well what do i know? Paramahansa Yogananda has said that it takes 1 million years of right living to find enlightenment. So i choose meditation. Because chances are in that million years of living on the physical plane there are still times we have not lived in a spiritual manner. P.Y. also said that the only other way is meditation. But u can choose to disagree with him if you would like. That is your freedom of expression.

I'll leave this one alone, don't like to ruffle feathers too much.

Let come what comes let go what goes. See what remains. ~ Ramana Maharshi

Read one of the quotes u put in our wisdom quotes section at the top of the forum. This is what came up Brock. My feathers are quite smooth and groomed SI. Thanks any way though. See my avatar picture and u will see what wonderful feathers i have and i gave u a wink besides!

Yes well when we feel strongly about something it's sometimes better to let them say they're OK, you know?

We have little things to b happy ☺ about every day. I was outside 🏊 today then meditated setting on some moss near a lake. The wind was blowing and I felt soooo... wonderful! Suddenly I had some insights and shared them with a friend who was waiting for me at the van... We agreed and r sharing the day together based on those insights.

What chemicals in the brain contribute to happiness?

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6007660