Is True Happiness Attainable? Strategies for Finding and Maintaining It

Happiness is a state of mind that stems from internal and external factors. Like a flowering plant, it thrives with the right nourishment and conditions. Modern life often leads us to chase fleeting moments of happiness, but true happiness comes from within.

Understanding Happiness

According to spiritual and psychological teachings, true happiness is not the result of external events, but rather how we perceive and react to them. A profound quote by Pema Ch?dr?n sums this up beautifully:

"It isn't the things that happen to us in our lives that cause us to suffer, it's how we relate to the things that happen to us that causes us to suffer."

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse further emphasizes the importance of embracing change:

"Everything is always changing. If you relax into this truth that is Enlightenment. If you resist this is samsara suffering."

This perspective is rooted in the belief that true happiness arises when we accept changes and live in the present moment. Let's explore how we can cultivate this mindset and maintain a sense of peace and joy throughout our lives.

Cultivating True Happiness

There are several strategies we can adopt to move closer to our goal of lasting happiness. We begin by understanding the impermanence of life and its elements.

Learning from Life's Experiences

In the words of Wanderer, nature teaches us about the transience of things:

"Not a single living being has things that last forever. You can though love your life in a way that gets closer to it. The only thing you can have is authenticity."

By deeply imbibing these lessons and reflecting on our experiences, we can transform them into sources of wisdom and resilience. Here are two powerful lessons from the Book of Joshua:

1: Staying Present in the Face of Adversity

When something horrific happens—whether it's the loss of a loved one or experiencing pain—we must:

Stay in the present moment Avoid dwelling on the past or fretting about the future Focus on breathing and self-care Be fully present and let things pass away Even if you contemplate a lesson, this makes you more resilient If you learn to feel gratitude for your hardships, even reflectively, you are cultivating inner strength

2: Embracing Resilience in the Face of Joy

When something wonderful occurs, resist the urge to celebrate excessively, for:

Even if you feel stronger, learning to appreciate good things fully is a form of inner strength If you know good things pass, do not let this lead to depression, but instead use it as a means to recognize that more good things will come Savor the moments and then let them go, maintaining a sense of joy and gratitude

By embracing both joy and adversity with a resilient mindset, you can transform every challenge and blessing into an opportunity for growth and happiness.

1:1 Only Be Strong and Very Courageous

Like Joshua, many of us face daunting challenges. Here's a powerful quote from the same passage:

"Only be strong and very courageous."

If you're hesitant to take on new challenges, take a moment to reflect on your fears:

Is life guiding you towards a significant change? Is God challenging you to rise to the occasion? If you tackle the challenge wholeheartedly, you'll likely feel a profound sense of accomplishment and self-worth

Embracing Authentic Living

To truly find and maintain happiness, focus on:

Letting go of past grievances and moving forward Acknowledging the impermanence of good times and bad Learning from every experience and becoming more resilient Feeling grateful for each lesson learned Loving yourself as you love others and nurturing your spirit Staying strong and courageous in the face of adversity Living as if you're approaching the end of your life, making the most of every moment

By making these practices habitual, you can cultivate hope, resilience, and joy, even in the face of challenges. True happiness is not about reaching a destination but about the journey and the mindset you carry with you. Through deep practice and reflection, you can achieve lasting happiness and a more authentic, fulfilling life.