What is happiness

I had earlier written a blog on how I defined happiness. A couple of us had a series of discussions around the same and this is a compendium of those discussions.


As we traversed quest for happiness by individuals to getting to define how one perceives happiness, there was one common string that linked them all. That at the end of the day, it is what you choose. I am happy if I choose to be so. Happiness we believe is internal. We can be happy without anything and at the same time, with everything, we may not be. The problem everyone faces today is that they define for themselves a concept of happiness, and then struggle to achieve it.

Further exploring the root cause for the so called, state of being, happiness, we had a diverse views when it came to understanding the term. Happiness is something that is a state of being, which can be controlled to remain calm and composed at all times and attaining such a state of poise is the ultimate goals of life. 

Happiness is essentially a state where one feels at bliss and in unison with the nature. On the other end of the extreme, it is defined as a result of a series of emotions and in essence, the joy felt in the journey of fulfilling dreams and creating even better ones. While some of us argued for the ultimate nirvana where one aims for a state of eternal bliss, the others looked at happiness as a series of countless infinitesimal pleasures. The debate was whether this transient nature of happiness is worth fighting for. One persistent argument was that happiness was beyond being a state of mind whereas the others took a more pragmatic view that happiness is much more of emotions that a constant state.

It is probably up to you to understand whether happiness is a string of emotions or a constant state of being.

The Indian National Anthem

Every time I have heard the Indian National Anthem, I have felt a chill down my spine. It erupts from a sudden gush of pride, belonging, awakening and may be a lot more. How many of us can proudly claim that they know the anthem word to word? How many of us don't observe that hint of awkwardness to stand up when the national anthem is heard nearby.

I still believe that the current generation who are in their 20s and beyond are doing marginally better than the kids. Is the pride for the country realised by all? Do they understand the Tiranga, the national anthem and our national heroes? Do you? I was not even surprised when a 10 year old kid exclaimed that the actor from "Lage raho Munna Bhai" was on the Indian 100 Rs. note. This incident is not an exaggeration but an awakening. May be its time each of us reflect on what this means to the generations to come. If we don't follow and teach, then some things will be lost forever. Jana gana mana.. should not be among those!