Will Happiness make us Happy?
No! Yes! No! Yes!
Will happiness make us happy? NO! NO! NO! We GRASP and CLING To whatever makes us happy! When Delusion arises, We see from Dependent Origination That happy feelings are the 8th link! Happiness leaves us lazy. Why explore Samsara’s jungle, Ensnarled in things and forms, Hoping to reveal its deep dysfunction, When we’re ALREADY HAPPY! Happiness means meeting needs. (Distinct from Bodhi-rapture, which is the nature of perception.) If we do achieve ULTIMATE HAPPINESS Where needs are met utterly, completely, fully We've only plopped ourselves into the God Realm. :( But will suffering make us happy? YES! YES! YES! Concentrate on the suffering (focus on the anguish bathe in it walk directly into the flames) And SUFFERING - GOES - AWAY!!! Do it once And you’re addicted. Then a thousand times. Every effort strengthens concentration Leading toward Shamatha Each suffering unchained Peels away a layer of Delusion. Till finally we reach the core, pervasive suffering, And shaking hands with Pervasive Suffering Is a single step from Nirvana. Happiness is like a brittle twig. Bodhi-rapture shines without effort in all realms. But even in Nirvana, suffering remains. How else shall we have compassion for all beings? Happiness is suffering? Suffering is happiness? Isn’t that just like the Dharma? Nutty as a fruitcake!!!
Hello Dear Mark,
Wishing you well, I have questions.
You are a wordsmith. Let's look at "Suffering", defined as "pain, misery, hardship" in Webster's dictionary.
"Rapture" is "extreme emotional excitement."
"Happiness" is a "state of well being, contentment."
"Contentment" is "ease of mind, satisfaction."
If happiness and suffering are in the mind and mind is defined in Mahayana Buddhism as that which is "merely clear and knowing", or clear awareness, then one might question whether would there be "extreme emotional excitement" in "bodhi," defined as "awakening or enlightenment"?
Is it true that when one transcends grasping happiness or suffering, the mind rests in mere clarity and awareness? Is that a state of well being, contentment, satisfaction, freedom from suffering? Did Buddha promise "rapture" or freedom from suffering? Does suffering arise from pain, or hardship, or from grasping onto the wish to be free of it? It's interesting to consider.
Be well, my friend.