Are you trying to tell me that pursuing happiness, might very well lead to unhappiness? That my desires will be my undoing? Is happiness basically devoid of misery and suffering, or do we need suffering in order to reach happiness?
I happen to agree with you, Sigmund, that civilization can be very disappointing, but clinging to cynicism, is it healthy? Did you ever find lasting happiness in your life? Is it even possible?
I don't know if happiness is what we should pursue, rather peace is what we are seeking. Peace of mind, despite the trials we face. Staying steady during the storms, holding on until the waves pass over us, is perhaps the condition we wish to find. Happiness is fleeting. We can lose it as quickly as we find it. Besides, the definition of happiness differs from person to person, all on our own separate paths. There are some who for example, find happiness in material possessions. Others discover it when they fall in love. Both sets of people could very well be happy in those moments, but what happens when they lose the relationship, or someone steals all of their possessions?
Where will their happiness come from, then? I know your position is that happiness doesn't come from one, single source. I agree with you, on that point.
However, I don't believe that the opposite of happiness is misery. Perhaps, it's indifference. Not feeling anything at all, just existing. I'll also add that I'm ''happy'' in my life, but I don't live in a vacuum. Happiness isn't a destination, and some days, it's a tease. Because happiness isn't the sum total of life, it's a part of it. If we feel that our lives only have meaning if we feel sustained elation at all times, then we may find ourselves more miserable, as we will conclude that we have failed. Pursuing happiness isn't the problem. Finding it difficult to accept that life is the sum total of both misery and happiness _ that leads people to great suffering, and depression.
If I were to send an email to Sigmund Freud, it would be that. Maybe a little more. But, that's the gist.
What are your thoughts on pursuing happiness? What do you think he'd reply?
(Posted this on sciforums, thought I'd share it here, too.)
I happen to agree with you, Sigmund, that civilization can be very disappointing, but clinging to cynicism, is it healthy? Did you ever find lasting happiness in your life? Is it even possible?
I don't know if happiness is what we should pursue, rather peace is what we are seeking. Peace of mind, despite the trials we face. Staying steady during the storms, holding on until the waves pass over us, is perhaps the condition we wish to find. Happiness is fleeting. We can lose it as quickly as we find it. Besides, the definition of happiness differs from person to person, all on our own separate paths. There are some who for example, find happiness in material possessions. Others discover it when they fall in love. Both sets of people could very well be happy in those moments, but what happens when they lose the relationship, or someone steals all of their possessions?
Where will their happiness come from, then? I know your position is that happiness doesn't come from one, single source. I agree with you, on that point.
However, I don't believe that the opposite of happiness is misery. Perhaps, it's indifference. Not feeling anything at all, just existing. I'll also add that I'm ''happy'' in my life, but I don't live in a vacuum. Happiness isn't a destination, and some days, it's a tease. Because happiness isn't the sum total of life, it's a part of it. If we feel that our lives only have meaning if we feel sustained elation at all times, then we may find ourselves more miserable, as we will conclude that we have failed. Pursuing happiness isn't the problem. Finding it difficult to accept that life is the sum total of both misery and happiness _ that leads people to great suffering, and depression.
If I were to send an email to Sigmund Freud, it would be that. Maybe a little more. But, that's the gist.
What are your thoughts on pursuing happiness? What do you think he'd reply?
(Posted this on sciforums, thought I'd share it here, too.)