Seek Happiness in Contentment
Rajinder Singh ‘Arshi’
Our understanding of the term ‘happiness’ varies from person to person. A child’s idea of happiness is the latest toy/game on the market, while a student’s happiness may lie in passing exams. Some people’s happiness rests in successful careers, while some may derive pleasure from torturing others. A contractor’s happiness may be linked to approval of the next tender. Building wealth and empires may excite the ambitious. The aged may find happiness and solace in peace, good health and care. It’s a changing, cascading, phenomenon the world constantly chases.
Millions of bubbles of temporary happiness, and often, unnecessary, expectations rise and float in the air; they are, constantly, deflated and come down to earth. The process continues endlessly, contributing to restlessness and often turmoil in the world. We are never content in what we have and must chase whatever our fancy dictates, without weighing up the pros and cons.
However, in reality, there is no such thing as happiness, most of us talk about and desire, hoping and waiting for it is futile.
We must create ‘happiness’ that will last. It can only be done through the medium of contentment, i.e. being at peace with ourselves, and with what we have, before seeking more. We must do our best in whatever we do and reap its rewards with grace and gratitude to the Supreme Provider. Disappointment at not getting what we may fervently seek only adds to our stress and anxiety and contributes to the restlessness we see all around us.
This doesn’t mean we mustn’t strive for success or fulfil our justifiable dreams. But, at the outset we must not put our targets beyond our reach, and accept the results/rewards with grace. If at first you don’t succeed, try again, as long as the target is justifiable and achievable. Unachievable and unnecessary desires will only wear us down fostering bitterness within.
Not always, but greed is often the undercurrent in our quest for what we falsely see as happiness.
Let see what Guru Arjan Dev Ji says (SGGS 278/9)
ਸਹਸ ਖਟੇ ਲਖ ਕਉ ਉਠਿ ਧਾਵੈ ॥
sahas khatey lakh kau utth dhaavai.
Upon earning the first thousand, one chases a hundred thousand (lakh).
ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਾਵੈ ॥
Taript na aavai mayaa pachchai paavai.
Not satisfied, he hoards and runs after more.
ਅਨਿਕ ਭੋਗ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਕੇ ਕਰੈ ॥
Anik bhog bikheyaa key karai.
Many of us chase not only unnecessary, but foul, sinful and corrupt pleasures.
ਨਹ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਵੈ ਖਪਿ ਖਪਿ ਮਰੈ ॥
Nah tariptaavai khap khap marai.
When such desires are not fulfilled, we are left shattered and worn out
ਬਿਨਾ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਜੈ ॥
bina santokh nahi ko raajai.
Without contentment our hunger for more is never satiated (we can never be happy).
ਸੁਪਨ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੇ ਸਭ ਕਾਜੈ ॥
supan manorath birthey sabh kajai.
Like the cascading visions of desires in our dreams all such efforts are vain and futile.
(rs ‘arshi’ ✍️ 24/8/20)