dyanaprajna2011
Dharmapala
Everyone wants to be happy. I've heard it said that the goal of philosophy is happiness. But here's the question: what does it mean to be happy?
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What is happiness?
- Thread starter dyanaprajna2011
- Start date
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Happiness is sitting on the couch with my family and walking on the beach.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
You only say that because you haven't sat on the couch with my family!
Checkmate, Phil.
Knight of Albion
Well-Known Member
True happiness comes from making others happy.
Happiness feels good, but it is only one among a collection of positive emotions. These emotions help to inform us when we're on the right track and are usually associated with psychological engagement, meaningful relationships, and purpose. So I would say that the goal has more to do with what flows well relative to the larger context rather than seeking to grasp and isolate a fleeting emotion directly.
Caladan
Agnostic Pantheist
In my world view, happiness rises out of circumstances occasionally, more commonly when I'm content with the overall course of my life.
Northern Lights
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Happiness is, in the main, a healthy amount of Seratonin production in the brain, and good uptake and absorption of that Seratonin by the receptors.
Contentment, in contrast I would say is a lack of perception of suffering, and fulfilment of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Contentment, in contrast I would say is a lack of perception of suffering, and fulfilment of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
In my opinion Happiness is contentment of life.
Everyone wants to be happy but nobody seems to know how to stay happy. Real happiness means being satisfied and not having to continue to search for more. Often times we think we know what will mKe us happy but we cant always know long term which is why contentment is important otherwise happiness would just be an ideal that is never reached.
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
Happiness is a temporary state, and if there wasn't some sadness in our lives, then happiness for us wouldn't exist. Our minds tend to get used to whatever condition if conditions remain static. One of my favorite comments I often tell my grandchildren is that it's the bad days that make the good days good.
I also don't think we should deny negative emotions as they can help to inform us when things have gone off course. Problems only arise whenever we continue to feed the negative loops by fixating upon associated memories and personal judgments after they've served their purpose of informing direct experience.
dyanaprajna2011
Dharmapala
Some nice varied answers. Here's another question: is hapiness based more on external things, internal, or both?
Northern Lights
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
For most, external.
But the only possible lasting happiness, is through internal attainment.
IMHO.
Caladan
Agnostic Pantheist
I don't see that internal an external can be separated. Our internal world is built on how we relate to the external world. When the two are in balance, we are more content, especially when creating ideal internal and external conditions and maintaining our life to such a degree that we lead a good life.
Happiness is internal contentment to external circumstances.
You can be happy being tortured. Its all about your internal contentment. This is were others have problems they base your happiness on their view of happiness.
Mother's are good at that. Mom"There's no way you(son) can be happy living like this".
