Many western
authors have researched ( in the lab).about how to experience happiness. They
are all based on sampling of a few Individuals and situations. But, in the
world the people's traits and situations are so varied as the population
itself.
However the
theory of Vedas on happiness is different. It goes like this. According to the
Vedas, human form is an embodiment of happiness. It is best depicted by Maha
Vishnu who is relaxing in a reclining position with a satisfied smile on his
face. But due to Maya in the world, we are not easily able to perceive this
state and get dissolved in mundane matters. It is like gold which inherently
shines is put into a muddy slush. It's tendency remains the same but it vets
blackened by surroundings. If it is able to clear this covering, then it's true
quality is revealed. For human understanding we can say that happiness can be
experienced by an individual if they conform to the following three behaviors.
- Contentment -
contentment means accepting what one has, in everything, be it finance,
status, position or situation. If ones eyes are blind, accept. If one is
poor, accept the situation as a fallout of one's Karma. That is, in this
life, he/she deserves it. What others have is what they deserve. But contentment is very difficult to achieve in the material world. Whatever one perceives through the mind through the five senses get tempted and therefore want to possess. One has to consciously avoid this tendency by constant practice.
- Responsibility -
The minute one is born the meter of responsibility starts. This is because
one is born into a society filled with people. As one grows the
responsibilities increase. There can be no escape from this.
Responsibility gives rise to a whole lot of traits. Ego is one.
Expectation is another. Bonding is another important trait. Then there are
ambition, desires, moods, emotions, likes, dislikes what not. The nature
of the world is such that these are very difficult to avoid. They
constitute an unavoidable burden because of which an individual is forced
into action. The secret to overcome this, as advised by Vedas, is
'nishkama karma'. In simple terms, it means, involve in action, use
discrimination to ensure Dharma in all actions, but dedicate the results
to God. Just like a wagon which is loaded with goods, is attached to
Engine (God) and travel the path of life. Lighten your mind, set aside
your anxieties and worries and live through life in the present. The
Engine knows the destination, the wagon does not.
- Energy field.
- An individual is covered by an energy field which exists in the
form of halo around his body. Ideally this energy field is positive, by
default There is constant exchange of energy among people during
daily activities. By getting involved in day-to-day activities and coming
in touch with people, this energy field gets depleted as well gets
converted to negative energy. If energy is depleted, it causes
depression & disease. As negative energy fills this field, one tends
to show negative traits and behaviors
Positive energy can be perceived as a glow in the appearance
whereas negative energy gives a drained appearance. While negative energy
can be converted to positive energy by tools such as meditation, it can be
blocked by traits such as forgiveness, patience and compassion. Sometimes
it has the power to convert the incoming negative energy into
positive.
It may be noticed
that Spiritual seers have all these qualities. The environment is transformed
to be conducive to the exercise of these traits while earlier the individual
was a slave of the environment. These are brought about by following Yoga in
it's true sense.
