You and I, and every sentient being deserve happiness. Yes, since we were born, our desire to be happy continues to be the driving force of our day-to-day living. Yet somewhat, we don’t seem to be succeeding. If you ask the “older generation” how does the living in 21st century compare to that of the fifties and sixties, they’ll tell you almost in unison: “We were happier then.” Pretty sad, coming from the individuals at the peak of their lives, with a history of professional and social successes and a bank account to match.
Thus the question arises: what problems are eroding our feeling of happiness? If only could we identify them, then…
As J. F. Kennedy said: “Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.”
Well, so far it appears that he was wrong. Whilst humans can indeed command more power than ever, and energize civilisation and its progress, the longing for happiness seem to never be satisfied. Unless, you think that the fellow shown on the photo below has it all…

Is He the Happy Guy Everybody Is Talking About?

Surely, his happiness appears to be authentic? Before we start arguing, let me tell you that this guy is one Scott Rothstein, 47, who pleaded guilty to federal racketeering and fraud charges. He admitted to masterminding a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme out of his law office. I don’t think he’s even happy being called the Bernie Madoff of South Florida…
His case shows that you were wrong, thinking that money makes one happy. You don’t agree, and still think that money will do “It” for you? Listen to this: In five years after finishing their (mostly) illustrious careers as professional basketball players with NBA, and earning millions in the process, sixty percent of them became bankrupts. Go, and ask them: Are you happy?

What is it then that holds the secret of happiness that all humans strive so badly for, and fail en masse? Said Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj: “As long as we believe that we need things to make us happy, we shall also believe that in their absence we must be miserable.”
It is that simple – stop climbing “the better one” ladder! When you have a $20k car, stop planning to upgrade, to but “the better one” for $32k. After moving to a $300k house, take a break and refuse to dream about “the better one’ in a chic area, at $420k.
No, you won’t obstruct the progress. In any event, what value the “progress” has for you, if you pay for it with living in a constant stress and a fear of loss? Get it into your head: “things” will never make you happy!
They are never irreplaceable; there are always “better” things waiting to be had. The pleasure of ownership wanes fast, once the desire to have more and better takes hold. When asked what the difference between happiness and pleasure is, Maharaj answered: “Pleasure depends on things, happiness does not.”

Pull out of the maddening race to have, to gain, to overtake, and take a minute to think who the racer is. Yes, it is that simple.
Then, you stand a chance to discover that your true Self is lacking nothing, for it has all. And you’re free to enjoy it all… and discover the happiness that you have always had, albeit obscured by mirages of the illusory world created by your ego. Said Maharaj: “Be nothing, know nothing, have nothing. This is the only life worth living, the only happiness worth having.”
When you follow his advice, you’ll realize your independence from the body and the mind. And this is the secret of true happiness.