In search of eternal happiness

by V. Umayal

Everybody wants to lead a happy life. But how many of us get what we need? On the contrary, the vast majority of people do not seem to be happy.

Every human being’s original state is total fulfilment. At present, people are not aware of it. They are separated from their original state. Hence there is a natural pressure within to get back to the state of total perfection. Due to the pressure everybody seeks everlasting happiness throughout their life. But they go in the wrong direction. They seek happiness in the external world. Through innocence or ignorance they falsely believe that happiness lies with fame, power, position, wealth, family and knowledge. But such external pursuits do not bring happiness and fulfilment in life.

Peaceful life

How can one find everlasting happiness? When can one enjoy total fulfilment in life? Is there a way to lead a perfect and peaceful life? To be happy you have to be an introvert, because eternal happiness and total fulfilment is within yourself. Happiness is not found in the external world. Ordinary people blinded by worldly desires. When such desires are reduced or annihilated through the practice of three disciplines you attain the state of bliss in life.

The three disciplines that prescribe the techniques for a perfect living are path of action (Karma Yoga), path of devotion (Bhakthi Yoga) and path of knowledge (Gnana Yoga). They are meant to train body, mind and intellect. The body executes actions. The mind is the seat of emotions and desires. The intellect is the capacity to think judge and decide.

Action is inevitable. Inaction is death. Only a human being has the freedom to choose his actions. Selfish actions bring about stress and strain. Unselfish actions generate peace and prosperity. Actions have to be executed in the spirit of service and sacrifice, working for the welfare of the others rather than focusing on one’s personal benefit. Unselfish actions performed without ego are referred to as Karma Yoga.

Love and devotion are the same feeling. When the feeling of oneness is directed to the lower level it is termed as love. The same emotion directed to the higher level is devotion. One could say, “I love my friend” or “I love my pet”, but “I am devoted to my guru” or “I am devoted to God”. Maintaining the awareness of reality perceptions, actions, emotions, and thoughts and surrendering to that unknown power is path of devotion or Bhakthi Yoga.

Discrimination

The constant discrimination between the permanent and impermanent aspects of life and recognising the reality behind all the manifold expressions is the path of knowledge known as Gnana Yoga.

It is very important that those who wish to find everlasting peace and happiness must practise all these three disciplines. By the proper practice of the three disciplines one gets rid of mundane desires. When that happiness the mind becomes steady for meditation. Through meditation one can attain the state of self-realisation, the abode of eternal happiness.

The Vedanta Academy at Pune, India offers residential courses in the three disciplines. They are also taught Vedanta philosophy, Bhagavad Gita and selected poems from English literature.