Happiness is the main object of our aspirations, whatever name we give to it: fulfilment, deep satisfaction, serenity, accomplishment, wisdom, fortune, joy or inner peace, and however we try to seek it: creativity, justice, altruism, striving, completion of a plan or a piece of work.
Interpretation
Happiness encompasses various forms of fulfillment and can be sought through different means.
In this quote, Matthieu Ricard emphasizes that happiness is a universal aspiration, manifesting in various forms such as fulfillment, serenity, and joy. Regardless of how individuals define or pursue happiness—whether through creativity, altruism, or the completion of personal goals—the ultimate aim remains the same: the pursuit of a deep and meaningful sense of satisfaction in life.
In practice
During a motivational speech about pursuing goals, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of seeking personal happiness.
Happiness is the result of inner maturity. It depends on us alone, and requires patient work, carried out from day to day. Happiness must be built, and this requires time and effort. In the long term, happiness and unhappiness are therefore a way of being, or a life skill.
True freedom means freeing oneself from the dictates of the ego and its accompanying emotions.
We do all kinds of things to remain beautiful. Yet, we spend surprisingly little time taking care of what matters most - the way our mind functions.
Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment.
Knowledge does not mean mastering a great quantity of different information, but understanding the nature of mind. This knowledge can penetrate each one of our thoughts and illuminate each one of our perceptions.
Empathy is the faculty to resonate with the feelings of others. When we meet someone who is joyful, we smile. When we witness someone in pain, we suffer in resonance with his or her suffering.
It sometimes strikes me how immensely fortunate I am that each day should take its place in my life, either reddened with the rising and setting sun, or refreshingly cool with deep, dark clouds, or blooming like a white flower in the moonlight. What untold wealth!
Heaven on Earth is a choice you must make, not a place you must find.
Time is a need of the miserable mind. Time is a creation of misery. If you are happy there is no time - time disappears.
When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad... you should do what I do! Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky! Some people are much more... oh, ever so much more... oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you!
Abjure all accretions and turn off the lights. Put on some music - Leonard Cohen, say, perhaps his 'Various Positions' - and let your mind cool down. Soon you'll forget there's a word called 'stress.'
Happiness is impossible for longer than 15 minutes. We are the descendants of creatures who, above all else, worried.
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