Search for Happiness

The search for happiness, everyone's looking for it but have you ever wonder where it can be found as we constantly pursue it? and more importantly is the happiness that we pursue now truly worth the efforts we have expounded?

Disagree with me? You may argue that not everyone is looking for happiness since if everyone is really looking for happiness, then self-mortification, suicides will not happen. Look deeply, when people do such extreme acts, they are essentially looking for happiness even though it may be a deluded type of happiness they are going after. It's only simply a matter of their mind deluding them that they can be better or happier off dead or by committing acts to hurt themselves.

It is the same for people who take intoxicants such as drugs, alcohol, smokes; people who party through out the nite till the dawn; people who food binge. They just simply think that they are happier that way. But the fact remains - are they truly happy and will they have a sense of fulfillment when all these are over?

I seriously think not. Most of the time, they just end up feeling more empty innerly and crave for more to fill up this ever growing sense of emptiness. Most of us forget that this sense of emptiness can never be filled in such a manner. Emptiness as such can only be filled with a sense of harmonious inner self.

How do we attain such harmonious state of mind? We all know the answer - be more at peace with your surrounding and you will naturally be peace with yourself. How can we do so? For a start, we can always look at the five silas (precepts) that the historical buddha laid down more than 2500 years ago for the lay disciples or anyone (regardless of religion) who has a sincere wish to be happier. =)

1) Do not kill or injure deliberately - when we refrain from such acts for even the smallest insects, we naturally develop metta (loving kindness), a great healing force.

2) Do not steal or obtain property or the rights of others through unskillful means - when we do not take what is not ours (including the credit of others and learning to give credit where it is truly due), we learn to respect the rights of one another.

3) Do not speak falsely and maliciously - doing so we learn to be mindful of our speech and conduct and to be firm in what is the truth in a loving manner without being overly aggressive.

4) Do not engage in unhealthy relationships - keeping this in mind, we become faithful to our partners, treasure the ones that we have currently and will not cause unnecessary suffering.

5) Do not intake intoxicants or partake in mind dulling activities - refrain from such will keep the mind sharp and firm and thus helping to lessen or even remove any doubts about ourselves and others.

So, this is my path, is this yours too? I hope it is and may you always be well and may you always be happy.

Dukkha muccantu, Yattha-laddha-sampattito, Mavigacchantu kammassaka - May all be free from suffering, May all that is gained not be lost, All are owners of their own kamma.=)