Although it is not possible to achieve complete happiness, we can strive for a state of balance or well-being that comes closest to it. In order to do this, we must know which factors influence unhappiness and happiness so that we can choose our actions in life correctly.
Since ancient times, it has been recognized that the greatest good to which a person aspires is happiness, and this is still true today, although we can confirm that this good is not the same for everyone, meaning that we do not all seek happiness in the same place or in the same way. In this sense, it can be said that a general method for finding happiness has not been established, as human beings are very different and situations are also diverse.
Generally, we try to find happiness in external things such as well-being, success, health, love, social recognition, etc. However, they have the disadvantage that happiness achieved in this way does not depend on us, but on others or on circumstances that we do not control, so we are therefore in some kind of lottery which may or may not affect us.
Sometimes, what is touched upon is frustration, pain, and, finally Negativity, unhappiness, the complete opposite of what we strive for. Let’s start by considering the topic from its opposite, from unhappiness.
Why aren’t we happy?
What are the obstacles to achieving happiness? Or in other words, what makes us unhappy? There are several factors to highlight.
– The pursuit of concrete pleasures, which are exhausted in the moment of consumption and force us into constant repetition that turns pleasure into saturation, boredom, and other undesirable states. How long does the joy we seek by organizing parties last? By investing our energy in such pleasures, we lose out on other, far superior ones. We can seek higher-quality pleasures that bring lasting and healthier happiness, that do not create dependency, illness, or destruction.
– Selfishness that leads to isolation and loneliness. Selfishness is what separates us, what highlights the differences among us.
– Underestimating or degrading others, which manifests itself by forming a habit of criticizing. I embrace the whole world.
– Sensitivity that makes us feel vulnerable to anything.
– Self-limitation or complicating life. There are two extremes: on one hand, self-limitation or reducing one’s own life, without dedicating oneself to anything or doing anything; and on the other hand, excessive activity that complicates life to the extent that it disrupts mental balance.
– Poor use of time. In general, we lose the present time, and the problem remains anchored in the past, or we worry about the future.
In order to talk about happiness, we first need to talk about human nature, about what is the nature of human being. And according to the traditions of all known cultures, we can say that the human being has a dual nature that we can express as spirit and matter, or soul and body, or divine and earthly. The Chinese express it by combining the two natures, calling man the son of Heaven and Earth. This duality creates conflict within the human being, which causes suffering and pain.
Therefore, although the conflict We do not pay attention to it or ignore it, there is no peace within us, but rather a constant underlying restlessness. We can say this in another way: we are incomplete and limited beings, so we cannot achieve complete happiness.
However, even if we cannot achieve complete happiness, it is possible to achieve a certain degree of tranquility, balance, harmony, or peace that is closest to pure happiness. This is within reach of human beings, which is why we talk about the path to happiness, or the path we can take to achieve the highest possible degree of happiness. It is a brilliant and bright path of life.
The path to happiness
What factors should be considered on this path to happiness?
1) Happiness is connected to movement, evolution, and growth. As incomplete beings, dynamic, our actions should be better each time, we need to evolve and grow as individuals. For example, someone who has lived long enough to look back and ask themselves, “Am I a better person? Am I growing as a person? Am I more aware?” … and then respond positively to these questions, achieve 1) He had partial happiness.
2) In addition, movement and action should also have internal focus. We need to develop our inner life, slowly awakening from within so that the external journey is transformed into an internal one. Moving from within implies building ourselves, and this self-building leads us to self-awareness, to something fundamental, because if a human being does not know themselves, they cannot be happy. An unconscious person cannot be happy, and their pursuit of happiness is false and foolish.
3) This inner life is connected to wisdom, understood as knowledge of important life questions: who am I, what is the soul, what potentials do I possess, what is the meaning of life, etc. And wisdom exists for us to love it, to embrace it, to make it ours, which is why philosophy or love for wisdom has been spoken of since ancient times.
4) Experience. This factor is important because when experience is painful, it can lead to unhappiness. Without a doubt, experience should be accepted as a learning opportunity, and in that sense, our experience The essence of life is our own. And if something causes us suffering, we should uncover the hidden lesson within that pain. In this way, transcending pain can be transformed into happiness.
Unity is essential. Etymologically, unity means “heart with heart,” and it speaks to us about love for others. We should approach others without fear of rejection, knowing that all beings are part of the same.
Art and beauty. Discovering true beauty reveals to us other worlds beyond earthly and mundane pleasures.
Wholeness. In order to be happy, we need to be aligned and authentic. We have different parts within ourselves: senses, emotions, thoughts, etc. And all these parts need to be integrated because, otherwise, it contributes to unhappiness. From within, as well as from without, we need to be whole, and this leads us towards ethics and happiness.
Giving more and seeking less. We ask for a lot, demand too much, so it is wrong to think that well-being is what we receive. Happiness is in giving, rather than receiving. We should give, m 2) Humor, a good joke. It’s not the same as happiness, but it’s a good helper. Humor alleviates suffering, dramatizes situations and events, psychologically facilitates carrying the burden.
10) And finally, something we can and should all have, and that is dignity. As human beings, we naturally deserve dignity. We’re not talking about the dignity that can be bestowed upon us, but about the dignity that stems from self-assessment, from calmly and wisely examining ourselves. The fundamental dignity is the one that springs from cheerfulness and provides us with tranquility, a certain peace, inner calmness, and peace of mind that gives us balance, confidence in ourselves, and ultimately enables us to be happier.
If happiness seems unattainable to us, let us create a cloak of dignity out of goodwill, harmony, and joy, which will allow us to cover our wounds and our pain.