THE TRUE WAY TO HAPPINESS - HOW TO BE HAPPY

How to be Happy  -_ The True Way To Happiness

The Buddhist principle of karma holds that people can change their karma to improve their lives, The mental karma as an example, explains that every thought causes an effect. The first two verses in the Dhammapada reveal an important concept in Buddhism that, “all what we  experience is created by thoughts.” (“Mano pubbangama Dhamma mano setta manomaya”).

 

What we experience begins with thought. Our words and deeds spring from thought. The mind is in the forefront of all our actions of good or bad. The message finally conveyed by the Buddha in the pair of verses is: “Think wrong and suffer. Think right and be happy.” Man or woman reaps what he/she has sown. One is responsible for one’s own happiness and misery.  

 

If you think a negative thought, you will suffer (for;eg. anger) if you treat a person with anger, jealousy or cruelty, the outcome will  be unpleasant. You will not receive any friendliness or goodness from that person in return.  If you think a positive thought, you will experience comfort. In other words if you treat someone sincerely or speak kindly you will receive comfort and happiness. "Our thoughts shape the quality of our experience.” They are responsible for our misery and pain or happiness and pleasure. So it is important to take responsible, of our own emotions  and actions.

 

A peaceful person calms all struggle in his mind between his ego and his own spiritual intention, accordingly. Such a person can push aside egotistical impulses, act in accordance with his spiritual yearning and be fulfilled by his actions.

But when our minds are confused by the intense desires triggered by ego, we helplessly give in to the intentions of our ego. In this state, we are not fulfilled by the things we do even if we are trying to help. We do things because we expect something we do might bring fulfillment. Peace will even elude people on spiritual paths, unless they clearly understand the source of their own intentions.

A smile can be exceptionally important. A smile is a smile in your mind. The more you smile the lighter your mind becomes. A genuine smile in your eyes can show up your feelings. When you smile, it takes away the tension in your mind, relaxes you and improves your mindfulness. What is mindfulness? mindfulness is remembering to observe how mind’s attention moves from one thing to another. It is just observing. When you have trained through the techniques of mindfulness, you can keep your attention much in the present moment without letting it run wild.

 

A smile that makes on your face, is produced by thirteen consciousness accompanied with joy, that are associated with wholesome or unwholesome consciousness. You cannot smile when you are in anger. A friendly smile can produce happiness to another which is also a kind of an act of generosity that doesn’t cost too much.  It also can show genuine compassion and altruistic joy. 

The mile of the Arahats and Buddhas are called Hsituppada Citta (that arises with joy or pleasant feelings). This citta is kiriya citta. So it has no kammic force. It is rootless citta (without greed heated and delusion). The 'Consciousness producing mirth' (smile), is found in the Abhidhammattha Sangaha as a name for the joyful mind-consciousness element. (manoviññāna-dhātu, Tab. I. 72) arising as functional consciousness independent of karma (kiriya-citta),

                                                        that occurs only in the Arahats.

 

Morality/Sila, Meditation and wisdom leads to the spiritual development of a human being. Sila is the stepping stone for spiritual development. It may lead to worldly happiness or happiness beyond. The main object of Sila is to discipline and keep away from evil done through the doors of the body, mind and speech.  Sila must be combined with Wisdom. Virtue/Sila and wisdom are like the pairs of wings of a bird.


 

Those who are in the path seeking for spiritual happiness and progress , must strive hard and work diligently to get rid of the unwholesome thoughts that arise through words, deeds and actions that lead to suffering. Buddhism teachers the way to escape from suffering by understanding and using the law of “cause and effect.” Buddhism is very realistic and optimistic. Instead of blindly depending on unknown super natural powers, hoping for happiness, Buddhism finds the true way to happiness realistically.