The Way To Achieve Lasting Happiness
- The 3 kinds of Hindu Happiness!
Swami Tejomayananda - article from "Speaking Tree" - Times of India
Happiness is of three kinds: Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika.
The Gita says sattvika happiness is that which initially appears to be akin to poison but ultimately it is like nectar. If we are used to late nights, then getting up early morning to study or exercise is very difficult, But if we do wake up early and do such activities regularly, it results in long-lasting happiness.
Sattvika happiness is born out of grace, blessings and Selfknowledge. Generally our mind is extrovert. We know well the joy of sense pleasure, but we do not know the joy which is possible in a mind that is pure, contemplative, and in meditation. If we get a taste of such happiness we will leave rajasika and tamasika joys. The glamour and charm of sense pleasures no longer hold any attraction. When the source of happiness is discovered in our hearts, we will no more depend on the world to derive happiness.
Such happiness is seen in the life of men like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Chinmayananda and others. Despite their physical ailments they remained everblissful. But for this one has to live a life of discipline with regular spiritual practice and study of the scriptures, and meditation. These seem difficult but result in happiness.
The Gita says rajasika happiness is that which arises out of contact between the sense organs and sense objects. It initially is like nectar but results in sorrow like poison. Such happiness depends on external factors like availability of the object, and mood for enjoyment. Rajasika joy leads to greed, a glimpse of it to dissatisfaction, more of it to indulgence, repetition, repetition to addiction, loss of it to pain and so on. No pain arises from realising the source of happiness within. None complains of too much happiness or boredom with external bliss. But one does get sick of sense pleasures and the law of diminishing returns comes into play. Hence even if there may be initial joy, rajasika happiness is momentary, enslaving and problematic.
The Gita says tamasika happiness is that which deludes a person in the beginning and end and arises out of laziness and forgetfulness. The joy of sleep is tamasika but it is vital for us to get refreshed and rejuvenated. But the joy referred to here is the joy of a person who sleeps all the time.
One is physical sleep, and the other is sleep of ignorance from which people do not wish to be awakened. They declare that “ignorance is bliss” and wish to remain in it. One experiences the joy of being lazy and postponing work.
One remembers duties but does not do them. Some do not even remember them. Some are quite proud of forgetting them and give it as a seemingly valid excuse for not doing the task. Some revel in the joy of drinking, smoking, getting stoned, gambling and so on.
These habits completely delude one’s mind and such a person cannot achieve anything high or noble. In fact, the person suffers all the time, but deludes himself into thinking that he is enjoying life. There is no peace, no inner satisfaction, and no sense of achievement or success.
Sattvika happiness appears difficult initially, but results in lasting happiness and liberates like nectar. Rajasika happiness is like poison and tamasika happiness deludes one,stops all progress.
One with a sattvika vision, understanding and fortitude surely gets sattvika happiness.
- The 3 kinds of Hindu Happiness!
Swami Tejomayananda - article from "Speaking Tree" - Times of India
Happiness is of three kinds: Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika.
The Gita says sattvika happiness is that which initially appears to be akin to poison but ultimately it is like nectar. If we are used to late nights, then getting up early morning to study or exercise is very difficult, But if we do wake up early and do such activities regularly, it results in long-lasting happiness.
Sattvika happiness is born out of grace, blessings and Selfknowledge. Generally our mind is extrovert. We know well the joy of sense pleasure, but we do not know the joy which is possible in a mind that is pure, contemplative, and in meditation. If we get a taste of such happiness we will leave rajasika and tamasika joys. The glamour and charm of sense pleasures no longer hold any attraction. When the source of happiness is discovered in our hearts, we will no more depend on the world to derive happiness.
Such happiness is seen in the life of men like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Chinmayananda and others. Despite their physical ailments they remained everblissful. But for this one has to live a life of discipline with regular spiritual practice and study of the scriptures, and meditation. These seem difficult but result in happiness.
The Gita says rajasika happiness is that which arises out of contact between the sense organs and sense objects. It initially is like nectar but results in sorrow like poison. Such happiness depends on external factors like availability of the object, and mood for enjoyment. Rajasika joy leads to greed, a glimpse of it to dissatisfaction, more of it to indulgence, repetition, repetition to addiction, loss of it to pain and so on. No pain arises from realising the source of happiness within. None complains of too much happiness or boredom with external bliss. But one does get sick of sense pleasures and the law of diminishing returns comes into play. Hence even if there may be initial joy, rajasika happiness is momentary, enslaving and problematic.
The Gita says tamasika happiness is that which deludes a person in the beginning and end and arises out of laziness and forgetfulness. The joy of sleep is tamasika but it is vital for us to get refreshed and rejuvenated. But the joy referred to here is the joy of a person who sleeps all the time.
One is physical sleep, and the other is sleep of ignorance from which people do not wish to be awakened. They declare that “ignorance is bliss” and wish to remain in it. One experiences the joy of being lazy and postponing work.
One remembers duties but does not do them. Some do not even remember them. Some are quite proud of forgetting them and give it as a seemingly valid excuse for not doing the task. Some revel in the joy of drinking, smoking, getting stoned, gambling and so on.
These habits completely delude one’s mind and such a person cannot achieve anything high or noble. In fact, the person suffers all the time, but deludes himself into thinking that he is enjoying life. There is no peace, no inner satisfaction, and no sense of achievement or success.
Sattvika happiness appears difficult initially, but results in lasting happiness and liberates like nectar. Rajasika happiness is like poison and tamasika happiness deludes one,stops all progress.
One with a sattvika vision, understanding and fortitude surely gets sattvika happiness.
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