The Connection between Happiness and Compassion

[RedDragon94]

http://www.worldreligionnews.com/re...enerous-and-compassionate-neuroscientist-says

What is the Buddhist's definition of happiness?
How can a person become happy by giving up things they have?
Does one already have to be happy in order to be compassionate, or is happiness driven by compassion?

 

[LuisDantas]

This Buddhist's definition of happiness is "the attainment of a reliable level of ability to overcome Dukkha during everyday life".

We do not ever have things. We just find ourselves related to them, often in ways that bring worries involving their caring and their possible loss. Learning to skillfully deal with those risks, including accepting their inherent ephemerity, is an important part of becoming less emotionally vulnerable.

Happiness and compassion do in fact feed each other. There is no obvious starting point in their reciprocal, unending feedback. We simply do our best and hope to enable ourselves and others in so doing.

We try to be grateful for the gifts from others, but at the same time not to develop too much of a dependence on those gifts. Self-reliance is a valuable virtue, not to be neglected.

 

[crossfire]

Here's the chapter from the Dhammapada called happiness.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.15.budd.html
Happiness is not allowing your mind to be influenced by the negative emotions. In this state, the Four Sublime States--the Brahmavira--of loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity can shine through.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.208.than.html

 

[Banjankri]

How can a person become happy by giving up things they have?

Giving up things you have makes you carefree.

 

[Nakosis]

http://www.worldreligionnews.com/re...enerous-and-compassionate-neuroscientist-says

What is the Buddhist's definition of happiness?
How can a person become happy by giving up things they have?
Does one already have to be happy in order to be compassionate, or is happiness driven by compassion?

I think they miss the point. You give up attachments to realize that you don't need things to be happy. It's interesting they said that the presence of gamma wave indicate the mind is more capable of change though.

That's cool, I'd think it means they are not stuck in viewing the world through one paradigm.

Compassion, I'm not quite sure, the connection there. I think Buddha started from a place of compassion to find the answer to end suffering for his fellowman.

 

[von bek]

How can a person become happy by giving up things they have?

By realizing that all things are impermanent and lacking self comes the understanding that there is no object that can truly be had in any lasting sense. Knowing there is no object to possess means also knowing that there is no object actually given up. Removing a fabricated identity that only arises by clinging to sensual objects brings peace and contentment.

Does one already have to be happy in order to be compassionate, or is happiness driven by compassion?

They feed into each other; but, I would say if you find yourself sitting there and you realize that you lack both compassion and happiness to the degree which you would like to have them, start by being compassionate to those around you and observe your happiness level after practicing compassion.

 

[RedDragon94]

By realizing that all things are impermanent and lacking self comes the understanding that there is no object that can truly be had in any lasting sense. Knowing there is no object to possess means also knowing that there is no object actually given up. Removing a fabricated identity that only arises by clinging to sensual objects brings peace and contentment.



They feed into each other; but, I would say if you find yourself sitting there and you realize that you lack both compassion and happiness to the degree which you would like to have them, start by being compassionate to those around you and observe your happiness level after practicing compassion.

This makes sense. Just one more question, since the reason why I give to people is because I see no lasting value in it for myself does that mean that there is no intrinsic value in anything or anyone?

 

[von bek]

This makes sense. Just one more question, since the reason why I give to people is because I see no lasting value in it for myself does that mean that there is no intrinsic value in anything or anyone?

I would say the reason you give is not because there is no lasting value in keeping it for yourself, you give in order to cause happiness to arise for another. As far as intrinsic value, all life should be regarded as valuable. We are often told to contemplate all lives as if they were our mothers.

 

[RedDragon94]

I would say the reason you give is not because there is no lasting value in keeping it for yourself, you give in order to cause happiness to arise for another. As far as intrinsic value, all life should be regarded as valuable. We are often told to contemplate all lives as if they were our mothers.

Okay so happiness does not arise from holding on to what you value but in giving it away?

 

[von bek]

Okay so happiness does not arise from holding on to what you value but in giving it away?

I don't really object to that statement, as long as it is understood that happiness is a mental factor and thus arises in dependence on how the mind is relating to sense stimuli. In other words, I cannot guarantee you that giving your last cigarette away will lead to happiness if you are hopelessly addicted to nicotine!

 

[RedDragon94]

I don't really object to that statement, as long as it is understood that happiness is a mental factor and thus arises in dependence on how the mind is relating to sense stimuli. In other words, I cannot guarantee you that giving your last cigarette away will lead to happiness if you are hopelessly addicted to nicotine!

Right, but it would be good to give the habit up.

 

[von bek]

Right, but it would be good to give the habit up.

Definitely. My point though was only to demonstrate that giving things away does not automatically equate to increasing happiness. How the mind is reacting is what is key. When you find your mind adverting from being generous, you have discovered an obstacle to your practice. This can be positive because the first step in addressing a problem is honestly acknowledging it is there to begin with. If giving a cigarette away causes anxiety, it is because you have constructed an identity in reference to cigarettes. (I smoke. I'm addicted. I want.)

This actually hits close to home for me. I began smoking cigarettes when I was 15 and then smoked for 20 years until my 35th birthday. The end of this August will mark two years without a cigarette! It is wonderful to not wake up coughing and choking every morning!

 

[von bek]

Okay so happiness does not arise from holding on to what you value but in giving it away?

Been turning this over in my head and think that I have come up with another way to illustrate what I'm trying to say.

Suppose a friend comes to you and asks to borrow twenty dollars. You have it; but, you were planning on buying a new book with the money. Your friend tells you a sad story and you feel guilty about not giving the money, so you give. However, the giving is not rooted in generosity, it is rooted in guilt. The mental intent underlying the act is what is most important from the Buddhist perspective. If you give gifts because of feeling guilty, there is a good chance you will later come to regret having given those things away. If so, happiness will not arise. This is one of the many reasons why it is vital to constantly be mindful of mental states.

 

[RedDragon94]

Been turning this over in my head and think that I have come up with another way to illustrate what I'm trying to say.

Suppose a friend comes to you and asks to borrow twenty dollars. You have it; but, you were planning on buying a new book with the money. Your friend tells you a sad story and you feel guilty about not giving the money, so you give. However, the giving is not rooted in generosity, it is rooted in guilt. The mental intent underlying the act is what is most important from the Buddhist perspective. If you give gifts because of feeling guilty, there is a good chance you will later come to regret having given those things away. If so, happiness will not arise. This is one of the many reasons why it is vital to constantly be mindful of mental states.

Okay... So we should give only if we feel like it? (I'm just making sure that I understand.) What you're saying is there has to be a balance between selfishness and generosity, right?

 

[von bek]

Okay... So we should give only if we feel like it? (I'm just making sure that I understand.) What you're saying is there has to be a balance between selfishness and generosity, right?

Being generous is good. Being selfish is never good.

What is needed is a good understanding of the mental processes underlying any individual act of giving. What I am trying to caution against is simply believing that giving gifts always equals increased happiness. If the mental intent motivating an act of giving is not wholesome, it may very well lead to increased suffering. It has little to do with the act itself, but with the intention driving the act, if that makes sense.

 

[RedDragon94]

Being generous is good. Being selfish is never good.

What is needed is a good understanding of the mental processes underlying any individual act of giving. What I am trying to caution against is simply believing that giving gifts always equals increased happiness. If the mental intent motivating an act of giving is not wholesome, it may very well lead to increased suffering. It has little to do with the act itself, but with the intention driving the act, if that makes sense.

Sure, thanks.

 

[Vishvavajra]

Happiness is being free from vexations, able to be and act without artificial limitations, manifesting the mind's pure innate freedom.

Simply giving things away may not bring happiness, but with correct attitude generosity is a good way to cultivate the mental habits that contribute to happiness. Attachment to material things is a self-imposed limitation that leads to vexations, as is the notion that other people's troubles are fundamentally different from ours and thus not our problem. Therefore, giving others things that they need in a spirit of genuine care is a way to break down those barriers.

Happiness is a result of compassion. If people refuse to cultivate compassion until they themselves are happy, they will never do it. The point of compassion is to come to understand on a deep level that other people's troubles are no different from your own, that their happiness is also your happiness. True happiness is impossible as long as people build up these walls between themselves and others, thinking that life is a zero-sum game with winners and losers. It is never too early to cultivate compassion and loving-kindness for others.