I have yet to come across a happy man these days. A neighbor whose wife passed away remarried but he is not happy in the relationship. Several newlyweds we know of have divorced. Many are not happy with their careers. Then some are bugged with health problems and, hence are losing their peace of mind. These are some of the people we know. Then many happenings all around the world are brought to us through news media and social media that cause distress and sadness in us. Where does happiness lie? It looks like we are looking for happiness with a partner, friend, family, job, career, food, drinks, etc. When we lose a job, a life partner, a family member, a friend, a pet, money, property, or anything else, our whole world crumbles. Are we then dependent on others for our happiness?
What about those who lose themselves and their identities and roam the streets indifferent to what is happening around them, sleeping on walkways and corridors, picking food from trash cans? They seem to be not disturbed in any way.
What about the children in their own world laughing and shouting and indifferent to what is happening until we enter their space?
What about the sages and saints keeping to themselves and in their own world. They seem to be in a state of bliss.
Acceptance of all moments and happenings brings us happiness. Contentment and not comparing with another brings us happiness. Good health brings happiness. Coming under the wings of the Siddhas brings us happiness. All this applies to the common man and a sane adult. So where do happiness and bliss reside? For the materialistic man, happiness is only found in the company of others and in the world he creates with money and wealth. They live in the past, present, and future. For the man who has turned cuckoo, happiness, and sadness are something entirely alien to him, I guess. He has no idea about his past, the present, and his future. For the child, happiness is in the moment with whatever is in his or her hand. They live in the moment. For the man who has shed all things material, happiness is found within. There is no time-space in his vocabulary.