What is happiness? (Buddhism, Buddhism, taoism)

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by Cynic

I believe that people who are truly happy learn to fully accept themselves for who they are, no matter what other people think, or say, or do. They don’t have a negative self image, as they don't impose negative attributions upon themselves, or allow others to do so. They don’t need people or things to make them happy, since they are content to begin with.

Happiness may well be this simple to attain for some. Nevertheless I find my own sense of happiness is susceptible to reflections of my own self-image. This is the case if for no other reason than the sense my own well-being is caught up in the well-being of others.

If I see my actions as causing distress to others I cannot help but feel distress in empathic response. For me peace of mind and contentment ends where it finds itself in stark contrast to its environment and effects. I was somewhat initially "programmed" that way by my parents who were themselves like this and it is has been reinforced over the years to be so fundamental to my emotional constitution that I can't change it.

Because of the above happiness is what happiness sees. Its lucky that, through meditation and the like, I've come to see a kind of deep underlying beauty to everything and everyone in the world. This is very pronounced despite it seeming only a potential and greatly stifled beauty most of the time. Furthermore I regard such beauty as synonymous with Tao.

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

Happiness may well be this simple to attain for some. Nevertheless I find my own sense of happiness is susceptible to reflections of my own self-image. This is the case if for no other reason than the sense my own well-being is caught up in the well-being of others.

If I see my actions as causing distress to others I cannot help but feel distress in empathic response. For me peace of mind and contentment ends where it finds itself in stark contrast to its environment and effects. I was somewhat initially "programmed" that way by my parents who were themselves like this and it is has been reinforced over the years to be so fundamental to my emotional constitution that I can't change it.

Because of the above happiness is what happiness sees. Its lucky that, through meditation and the like, I've come to see a kind of deep underlying beauty to everything and everyone in the world. This is very pronounced despite it seeming only a potential and greatly stifled beauty most of the time. Furthermore I regard such beauty as synonymous with Tao.

I think empathy is essential to being happy... At least for me. My happiest moments were when I thought a lot about other people instead of just myself... It was easier to find inner peace...

[zenzero]

Friend Scarlett,
Understand your state.
Like to add that still the MIND is swaying towards the resultant emotional state of the present situations.
One only has to be a WITNESS and the happenings are left to karma to balance.
When the individual no longer remains; what remains is only the witness; who is not a participant to the happenings but only a witness.
Love & rgds

[may]

Jesus acknowledged this fundamental urge, saying: "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need," or those who recognize and respond to their spiritual hunger. (Matt. 5:3)

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by zenzero

Friend Scarlett,
Understand your state.
Like to add that still the MIND is swaying towards the resultant emotional state of the present situations.
One only has to be a WITNESS and the happenings are left to karma to balance.
When the individual no longer remains; what remains is only the witness; who is not a participant to the happenings but only a witness.
Love & rgds

*sigh* I get what you're saying.

I'm...not meditating enough ZZ. Not nearly enough witness or even mindfulness of late.

*sobs*

Originally Posted by may

Jesus acknowledged this fundamental urge, saying: "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need," or those who recognize and respond to their spiritual hunger. (Matt. 5:3)

Its a good bet over many other kind of needs that are extraneous.

[Buttons*]

My dear Scarlett, you have such a way...... that I don't!

I think, though, that happiness is being. Tao is.... and being is. So to be, is to be happy...

[may]

"Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Jehovah his God."—PSALM 146:5.
(Psalm 33:12) Happy is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he has chosen as his inheritance.
(Psalm 144:15) Happy is the people for whom it is just like [that]!" Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!
(Psalm 89:15) Happy are the people knowing the joyful shouting. O Jehovah, in the light of your face they keep walking.

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by may

"Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Jehovah his God."—PSALM 146:5.
(Psalm 33:12) Happy is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he has chosen as his inheritance.
(Psalm 144:15) Happy is the people for whom it is just like [that]!" Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!
(Psalm 89:15) Happy are the people knowing the joyful shouting. O Jehovah, in the light of your face they keep walking.

Hey May! I had no idea you were Tao... or even mystic! Cool.

[Melissa G]

I think when you've had good sex, and forgive me here, but just laying back afterwards, enjoying a drink and ciggie is bliss. Wears off of course, but for awhile, it is pure bliss. Which makes me think bliss is above happiness, and so is even shorter lived in duration.

Melissa G

[may]

Originally Posted by Melissa G

I think when you've had good sex, and forgive me here, but just laying back afterwards, enjoying a drink and ciggie is bliss. Wears off of course, but for awhile, it is pure bliss. Which makes me think bliss is above happiness, and so is even shorter lived in duration.

Melissa G

yes we have many good things from the most high , maybe not the cigs though.