Science of Spirituality

Theoretical discussion on happiness and unhappiness according to various philosophies

Happiness is obtained after the object is no longer desired

The happiness experienced through objects is not obtained when experiencing the object, rather due to the contentment arising from it when one feels fed up of the object. One enjoys the first few scoops of ice cream, but if offered more the enjoyment decreases, and later one does not feel like eating any more. This proves that happiness does not lie in objects like ice cream, but it is in the state beyond objects.
When desire is generated in man he digresses from the state of happiness. No matter what the reason for the absence of desires, that is, their fulfilment, their sacrifice, the absence of their generation or obscurity due to concentration of the mind, that state devoid of desires proves to be that of happiness. In other words, happiness is not in objects, it is in the subconscious mind.

Absence of desire is of two types

1. Absence of desire during sleep:

When one is asleep, the five motor organs, too, are resting. Since the desire centre is not active at the conscious level, even though there is no external object involved, one experiences Bliss when one is asleep. If an individual is deprived of sleep for two days he becomes restless, as the daily dose of Bliss during sleep was not obtained. A popular Indian scripture states that there is absolutely no difference between the happiness acquired during deep sleep and that obtained with the attainment of the Final Liberation (Moksha). Another scripture has derived no difference in the intensity of happiness obtained after attainment of the Final Liberation, that in deep sleep and during sexual intercourse. Thus every individual experiences this happiness for five to six hours everyday. Despite this, one is still in search of happiness, as one does not know how to acquire the same happiness in the waking state.

2. Absence of desire in the waking state:

Absence of desire in the waking state is better than in the above state. It is true that happiness is experienced during sleep, but at that time the embodied soul is unaware that 'I am happy', unlike the happiness in the waking state when the embodied soul is aware that 'I am happy'. Hence the happiness in the waking state is of a higher quality than that during sleep.

The Gita (a Holy Scripture from the Hindu Religion) states that ultimate happiness (Bliss) is extrasensory but can be realized with the intellect. Three states are present in this state of ultimate happiness:

A. Absence of desire

B. The waking state, and

C. The subtle proportion of ego that is required for this waking state.

According to the sect of renunciants, the final doctrine to attain ultimate happiness or Final Liberation, is that one needs to renounce the world.
Tilak, a famous freedom fighter and philosopher, did not agree with the concept that all happiness stems from overcoming unhappiness such as that from desire. The gist of this as described in his book, the ‘Gitarahasya’ (secrets of the Gita), is as follows: Desire is the feeling of wanting to experience something once again, which has bestowed happiness before. Not acquiring a desired object results in unhappiness. However, if the desire is fulfilled before the unhappiness is realized, then one cannot say that the happiness obtained was on account of overcoming the unhappiness arising out of desire. For example, if one desires to speak to their beloved and at that moment itself, that person calls. Then one cannot say that the happiness experienced was due to overcoming unhappiness.

Also, if one gets something good and thus experiences happiness even when not desirous of it, then the doctrine that the happiness derived from it is out of desire is disproved. For example, if one suddenly puts a cube of sugar into a child's mouth, one cannot say that the happiness that he is experiencing is due to elimination of desire. If one sees a beautiful garden or hears the melodious singing of a nightingale, then one experiences happiness even without harbouring the desire to experience them.

From this, one can conclude that since the sense organs have the natural ability to experience pleasant and distressing objects, one experiences happiness or unhappiness without the desire for them.

Hence the Gita (2.14) quotes that when in contact with objects, that is, external objects from Nature, one experiences sensations such as hot, cold, etc. and acquires happiness or unhappiness. For example, if one is offered cold drink on a hot summer day, even if one did not actually desire to have it, still one will experience a pleasant sensation. It also states (3.34) that all happiness is not in the form of unhappiness, and that the affinity and repulsion between sense organs and objects of sensation are separate entities altogether. Just as in the above example where one experiences pleasant sensations on having a cold drink on a hot summer day, without having a desire to have a cold drink prior to drinking it, similarly one can also experience unhappiness without having any expectation of desire for happiness. For example, if one has been in a hit-and-run accident, even though he did not have any desire for happiness, yet he experienced the pain. In this case, the unhappiness was not related to any kind of desire or expectation of happiness. Thus, the Gita considers happiness and unhappiness as two opposite and different attitudes.

There is a vast difference between the happiness acquired after experiencing unhappiness and that acquired everyday by remaining engrossed in objects, because the ability of the sense organs diminishes by experiencing happiness everyday. An example of the former would be giving a meal to person who has been hungry for days, and the example of the latter, giving a meal to a person regularly having four meals per day. Naturally, the happiness experience by the former will be much more intense than what the latter experiences.

However, in the Mahabharat (1.75.49), an Indian Holy scripture, Sage Vyas has preached that, 'After experiencing worldly pleasures through objects, instead of gratification, the desires multiply manifold akin to the fire which grows after oblations like clarified butter are offered in it.' For example, if one enjoys playing a video game, every time one plays it, the impression of the desire to play it strengthens again and again, and thus the desire keeps growing.

Never is desire for happiness fulfilled by experiencing happiness alone. That is why the scriptures say that each one should follow some restrictions in the fulfilment of desire. Even if a student feels unhappy when studying he is told to continue to do so as it is in his own interest. Similarly, religion advises man to give up worldly pleasures and attain the Final Liberation (Moksha) for his own good.