What is happiness? Is it a state of our mind? Can we be happy without any external aid (upadhirahita)? Should we always seek somebody, something or some other place for our happiness or, can we be happy where we are with what we are? Why do we look out for happiness? All these are very important questions and one should analyse these and get a clear answer from within. One should seek an answer within since these are not problems concerning others, but oneself.
This problem of seeking happiness outside of one's self underlies a very important principle that "Every jiva is born by the 'Will of the Lord' and comes to earth with a built-in mechanism to live and work with a divine purpose; it is fully equipped with knowledge, information, technology and ability to transform (KITKAT) and, as such, can attain its goal."Also,it is important to remember that "Every jiva comes alone and gets back alone, as also, most of the time lives alone; and, all other associations are incidental and just trivial!" It is like passengers getting in and getting out of a train.
This problem of seeking happiness outside of one's self underlies a very important principle that "Every jiva is born by the 'Will of the Lord' and comes to earth with a built-in mechanism to live and work with a divine purpose; it is fully equipped with knowledge, information, technology and ability to transform (KITKAT) and, as such, can attain its goal."Also,it is important to remember that "Every jiva comes alone and gets back alone, as also, most of the time lives alone; and, all other associations are incidental and just trivial!" It is like passengers getting in and getting out of a train.
The first and foremost thing is that we should know what is happiness. And then, 'if we want to be happy' we must feel happy. A person who feels happiness, joy is oneself. Happiness, joy, laughter, or even the opposite of these are the emotional aspects. Feelings of happiness is something that emanates from the heart as an emotional outburst. This emotional out-burst from ones inner instruments (antahkarana) is not entirely connected with Intelligence (buddhi). There is no role for buddhi and discretion here. If one is happy, he is happy that is all! Scientific researches have found some interesting facts. The molecules that connect the brain cells operate in such a way that flash of light is emitted when certain message is reached. However, what message is reached and what reaction comes out from these flashes(electric charges in neurons) is not clear. The same molecule may trigger happiness or a warning!
It is now discovered that neurotransmitters (driven by chemical activity) travel between brain cells send messages and there is a hidden signalling network in the brain that responds. Signalling molecules, glutamate, in a single gap between two neurons convey messages. Noradrenaline, a molecule, is involved in alertness. The dopamine molecules are involved in our experiencing pleasure, happiness.
What we feel is due to the electric charges, resonances, waves and vibrations through the touch (sparsh) of the jivatman! It is in our nerves and neurons to experience, convey, communicate, respond, react and every molecule or cell in our boy (unimaginable numbers of these exist in our bones, blood, brain, skin, and every organ!) perform sixty thousand different functions every moment! The undercurrent that flows between molecules due to chemical action is responsible for a persons reaction to certain situation. Every cell, every molecule, consists of genes, amino-acids, vitamins, enzymes, ribo-nucleic acids, DNA, harmones, chromosomes, knowledge, information, technology and ability to transform, and such other resources needed for the protection, growth, development and reproduction. There are twenty-thousand types of proteins that cover different types of cells and induce different reactions in them to perform different functions in the body!
It is now discovered that neurotransmitters (driven by chemical activity) travel between brain cells send messages and there is a hidden signalling network in the brain that responds. Signalling molecules, glutamate, in a single gap between two neurons convey messages. Noradrenaline, a molecule, is involved in alertness. The dopamine molecules are involved in our experiencing pleasure, happiness.
What we feel is due to the electric charges, resonances, waves and vibrations through the touch (sparsh) of the jivatman! It is in our nerves and neurons to experience, convey, communicate, respond, react and every molecule or cell in our boy (unimaginable numbers of these exist in our bones, blood, brain, skin, and every organ!) perform sixty thousand different functions every moment! The undercurrent that flows between molecules due to chemical action is responsible for a persons reaction to certain situation. Every cell, every molecule, consists of genes, amino-acids, vitamins, enzymes, ribo-nucleic acids, DNA, harmones, chromosomes, knowledge, information, technology and ability to transform, and such other resources needed for the protection, growth, development and reproduction. There are twenty-thousand types of proteins that cover different types of cells and induce different reactions in them to perform different functions in the body!
Now, the problem of joy and happiness can be answered from the Vedanta (adhyatmic) point of view. A spiritual person will not easily respond to external circumstances since he/she is inwardly established in the Self, Atman. He is a person who has gained mastery over his mind, a sthitaprajnya, a person of pure, unblemished, stilled mind. When the vibration ceases there is a calmness that brings supreme joy! The outward situations do not disturb such attained persons.
It is very clear that there is nothing in this transient world of phenomenal objects that can ever bring eternal happiness to jiva. The jiva is already happy and it suffers only due to its ignorance as to its true nature. Nothing is real in this world'. "All relational existence are unreal, says Shri Krishnanandaji, Shivananda Ashrama Rishikesh.
This is what exactly the saying in the Gita is. A sthita prajnya is not perturbed by the happenings outside. Bhagavan Shree Krishna goes to the extent of saying, "One should not cry for a person dead or alive"! A person of equanimous mind (sthitaprajnya) is not affected by praise or abuse, profit or loss, free from love and hate. He has overcome all dualities (dvandvatmika pravrutti). Further, the wise one knows that the world is an illusory one that comes within the grip of time, space and causality; time is an illusion by itself and creates an illusory space in which all transient objects are accommodated. Thus, a person should realize that nothing is real in the ever-changing world. That way, all jivas exist in a time frame and disappear with out a trace!
What for do we cry as if all that we possess came with us and go with us? One should realize the fact that there is a divine order, divine plan, Everything happens according to a pre-planned program, an unseen hand (adrushta shakti or kaanada kai) directing it. One should not forget the fact that this mystery of the unseen is solved when one realizes the supreme Lord seated within the cavity of our own heart and directing every thought and action of ours. Lord Shree Krishna assures to take care of us and protect us if we look to Him for guidance and help. In fact, the Lord only helps Droupadi when she calls for help; but Yudhisthira forgot the Lord Krishna who was just nearby due to his foolishness. He did not call for help when was losing the game of dice! On the other hand, intelligent Duryodhana, who did not even know the game of dice, used Shakuni and wins it. This is the secret. The learned sages sing in praise of the Lord and say, "There is none suffering due to firm faith in the Lord, let those who do not have faith in the Lord suffer"! "nambi kettavarillavo, nambade kettavarilla ninna hariye" in Kannada. Absolute faith in the supreme Lord is called for here.
Pray Lord Krishna and be always happy and joyful.
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