SQAAD

Some Normal People Seem Happy

15 posts in this topic

Leo says that people who are not “awake” are unhappy. Is that true? If it is, why? And since, there’s no free will, why would God let billions of people be unhappy — would that make God a sadist?

Most people are miserable, but I’ve also seen non-spiritual people who seem content, especially those with a good solid position on the social pyramid. Any thoughts?

If people didn't find any happiness, there would be a lot more suicide going on.

Peter Ralston says that even normal people can be happy, if they work.

Many normies derive happiness from simply working and then meeting their basic needs.

Also what about children? They seem quite happy too, even though they are not awake.

 

Edited by SQAAD

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I definitely think a normal person could live on a day to day basis with a baseline of contentment that fluctuates a bit based on stressors like work, money, relationship problems etc. 
 

It can be hard to tell if someone is doing well if you don’t know them personally, because people have a social fasade and filter where they don’t openly share their problems, and their problems might not show through their behavior. People have social codes ingrained in their psyche, and for many, talking and seeming fine comes naturally and automatically: they could still be stressed on the inside. 
 

For example, when I’m low I tend to become more quiet. Then I might mistakenly assume that people who talk a lot must be doing fine, because I talk more when I’m doing fine. But for someone who is naturally more social and verbal, they might deal with issues by for example ventilating, or socialization might be a distraction for them, so them being social doesn’t reflect their inner state. 

Edited by Sugarcoat

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Happiness in the world is to occupy oneself dutifully. On your death bed you will be applauded by all for a well lived life. Wanting more than this is suffering. Having less than this is suffering. 

What more do you want! What the heck has a spirituality forum ever given you except an endless headache!

Edited by gettoefl

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Happy with our work, not if we work. It wasn't a conditional statement.

As for making a dent in happiness, we'd really have to understand what it is. It might not be what we think.

It seems that when you stop doing dysfunctional things with your mind, happiness comes more easily as a natural result or condition. I think that's the point being made in the video. Then again, happiness isn't our goal and never was; the promotion and survival of our selves is.

We often unconsciously resist certain aspects of our experience. Embracing one's current experience, whatever it is, goes a long way toward being happy in life. It changes our relationship to it. Even when it is painful and unwanted, it is allowed to be what it is, which facilitates understanding. This can dissipate much of our resistance and suffering.

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16 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

Happy with our work, not if we work. It wasn't a conditional statement.

Just because he didnt use if doesnt mean it isnt conditional. Happy with our work? Why not without work? Or something else entirely? This is conditional.

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1 hour ago, Eskilon said:

Just because he didnt use if doesnt mean it isnt conditional. Happy with our work? Why not without work? Or something else entirely? This is conditional.

Isn't that the whole point - that happiness is independent of circumstances?

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They arent happy because they are being lied too.


Sometimes it's the journey itself that teaches/ A lot about the destination not aware of/No matter how far/
How you go/How long it may last/Venture life, burn your dread

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12 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

Isn't that the whole point - that happiness is independent of circumstances?

Good luck with that. Maybe if you awaken and leave the body forever, other than that, it doesnt seem true.

In other words: Mahasamadhi. Everything else is bullshit.

Edited by Eskilon

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19 minutes ago, Eskilon said:

Good luck with that. Maybe if you awaken and leave the body forever, other than that, it doesnt seem true.

In other words: Mahasamadhi. Everything else is bullshit.

It may well already be the case - happiness being independent of all that. We simply tend to attribute our happiness to the circumstances that seem to elicit it. But again: are agreeable feelings that arise the same as happiness? And if not, what exactly are we talking about? Most likely anything consistent with one's self-agenda. Perhaps happiness is even independent of the self, in a strange way.

Fantasy is overrated; changing one's mindset and disposition is underrated.

Edited by UnbornTao

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13 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:
31 minutes ago, Eskilon said:

Good luck with that. Maybe if you awaken and leave the body forever, other than that, it doesnt seem true.

In other words: Mahasamadhi. Everything else is bullshit.

It may well already be the case - happiness being independent of all that. We simply tend to attribute our happiness to the circumstances that seem to elicit it. But again: are agreeable feelings that arise the same as happiness? And if not, what exactly are we talking about? Most likely anything consistent with one's self-agenda. Perhaps happiness is even independent of the self, in a strange way.

Yeah, I like the words you use. May, perhaps. You don't know. So, for the time being happiness is conditional.

Quote

Fantasy is overrated; changing one's mindset and disposition is underrated.

How you do you know you are not changing from one fantasy to another? Don't be so quick to call stuff fantasy, the distinction might not really exist as you might think. It might be a matter of perspective and the doings of your own mind.

Edited by Eskilon

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8 minutes ago, Eskilon said:

Yeah, I like the words you use. May, perhaps. You don't know. So, for the time being happiness is conditional.

How you do you know you are not changing from one fantasy to another? Don't be so quick to call stuff fantasy, the distinction might not really exist as you might think. It might be a matter of perspective and the doings of your own mind.

I'm leaving it up for grabs. Did you read Ramana's story on the other thread? Insects bit at his legs, he lived in a cave, and all he did was sit. On what condition did his alleged happiness depend?

The main disconnect here is that what you're calling happiness is simply getting what you want. When you don't get what you want, or fail to avoid something unwanted, you call that unhappiness - and this whole dynamic boils down to survival. Cnsider this: why aren't you happy all the time?

By fantasy, I was referring to mahasamadhi. It's entirely hearsay. And yes, there are such things as wishful-thinking, beliefs and wholly biased, subjective fabrications.

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9 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

I'm leaving it up for grabs. Did you read Ramana's story on the other thread? Insects bit at his legs, he lived in a cave, and all he did was sit. On what condition did his alleged happiness depend?

The main disconnect here is that what you're calling happiness is simply getting what you want. When you don't get what you want, or fail to avoid something unwanted, you call that unhappiness - and this whole dynamic boils down to survival. Cnsider this: why aren't you happy all the time?

By fantasy, I was referring to mahasamadhi. It's entirely hearsay. And yes, there are such things as wishful-thinking, beliefs and wholly biased, subjective fabrications.

If you are calling mahasamadhi hearsay, then it doesnt make sense in you believing Ramana and his stories. It's all hearsay and fantasy. You were not there nor did you personally verified everything he has said.

Happiness as we know it is related to movement, be it internal movement(thoughts, emotions) or external(actions). Can you be happy without moving an inch? Well, if one is happy all the time, why do you get out of bed? Just be there forever with your eyes closed and be happy lol. 

Fantasy is a complex topic, all that you have ever interacted in your life might be a fantasy. Including morality, contemplation, meditation and so on. You might want to investigate the nature of distinctions and relativity.

Edited by Eskilon

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I think he's talking about the true definition of happy. The kind of happiness that can overwhelm and overpower to the point of serious trauma if someone isn't ready for it

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I agree with you.

You can release dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins through various activities that aren't spiritually related:

- being raised by loving healthy parents

- reading a good book

-  falling in love

- getting likes on social media

- listening to music

- drugs

- receiving affirmation, praise, applause, glory, compliments etc.

- having sex

- spending time with kids

- a blissful wedding day

-  service to others

- delicious food

- playing with pets

- watching a good movie

- being privileged or being dealt a good hand in life

- getting your dream job

- winning a sports game

- talking with a close friend

- family vacation

- exercise

- worship service at church

And most of it, is actually our thinking...not even an activity itself, that causes these chemicals to be released. It's often HOW we are thinking that generates them. Certain activities generate positive thoughts more naturally. For example, going to a tropical vacation isn't making you happy.....it's your thoughts while you are there, that are making you happy. It's a mental thing that generates happiness. Certain places or people just make it easier to think peaceful and happy thoughts. But the place or person isn't causing the chemicals, they never can or will.

Our attachment, addiction and chasing of dopamine/oxytocin/serotonin/endorphins can lead us away from truth.

Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins are not enlightenment, just a byproduct.

Edited by Brittany

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