Conquering happiness is not possible

About 2400 years ago, Greek Philosopher Epicurus warned his disciples that immense pursuit of happiness produces depression rather than happiness. Gautama Buddha claimed more than that: according to his teaching, the pursuit of happiness is actually the root of depression.

Feelings of happiness are temporary and meaningless. Even when we feel them, we are always looking for more and are never satisfied. If we define happiness as a momentary feeling of satisfaction and wish for more, then what is the choice other than to constantly pursue it? When we get it, it disappears immediately and because we are not satisfied with the mere memory of the previous happiness, we have to start all over again. Even if we continue this pursuit, say, for a decade, we will not be satisfied for long. On the contrary, the more we pursue happiness, the more dissatisfied and disturbed we get. That is why, Epicurus defines happiness as something that causes mental contentment and brings a person closer to peace and tranquility. For this reason, how can one doubt the truth of English writer Storm Jameson’s words when she says, “Happiness? It is wrong to think that more luxury is a source of more happiness. Happiness comes from feeling deeply, enjoying simplicity, by the free flight of imagination, by the risking of life, by doing the work of others.”

The concept of the happiness has been in front of man from the beginning of time and he has always strived to achieve it. While living the life of an animal in the forest, he was indeed safe from mental confusion. By yielding to the signals of own nature and the demands of physical tendencies, he certainly enjoyed the abundance of pleasure which is characteristic of animal life. But when his mental development began, it pushed back his physical tendencies, and the impressions of happiness began to be clear in front of him. He then quickly built for himself a world of civilisation and law where his animality can be kept in chains and his barbarism can be calmed in the realm of civilisation.

But the development of understanding and perception created many new mental confusions and thousands of questions arose before him. Soon he began to realise that the cause of his restlessness is the darkness that is enveloping his mind. Therefore, mental illumination was the cure for his new disease, because in that illumination was hidden the happiness for which he was feeling indecisive.

Therefore, the entire history of the human mind is the name of the struggle it made to reach this illumination. The whole teaching of Socrates revolves around knowing yourself. Three main humanistic theories about life have been presented.

The first theory is of those who believe that life is the name of entering this world, eating, drinking, sleeping, waking up, having sex and then disappearing into the mists of death. Such people consider it the purpose of life to exhibit extreme selfish tendencies at every step.

The second theory is of those who regard life as business and their every action is subject to some permanent benefit. For these people, happiness is another name for success, so all measures of violence are considered justified and necessary to achieve. According to such people, happiness can only be achieved by crushing others.

The third theory is of those who believe that giving more to life instead of getting something from it is the high standard of humanity. They keep in view the mental evolution of society and the happiness and greatness of individuals at every step. For them, the acquisition of happiness is not as important as the distribution of happiness.

In 1831, just before the passing of the first Great Reform Act, English philosopher and jurist Jeremy Bentham wrote in a letter to a friend, “The composition to living at peace himself is to make the lives of others happy. The composition to making people’s life happier is to show them love and the composition to showing love to them is to love them completely.”

While Anais Nin writes, “What we call our destiny is truly our character and that character can be altered. The knowledge that we are responsible for our actions and attitudes does not need to be discouraging, because it also means that we are free to change this destiny.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2023.

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