Do you like my philosophy which I just though of in a rare moment of deepness this lunchtime?

Question

Happiness is just misery temporarily covered up with "things". You can have all the gold and riches in the world and you may still not be happy. This is because you are looking for happiness in the wrong place which is so common in this world - You are looking for it outside yourself which is a place where it can never be found. The outside world is ever changing, impermanent, insecure. It shifts and if you are attached to it, fear of a negative shift will mean your life will be full of misery even if you have everything. Once you accept the impermanent nature of the world, and enjoy thngs..........while they last…......without attachement or clinging, without deriving your sense of identity from these "things" - you will then find a deep joy which has no opposite. You will have joy in the only place where it can last which is inside of yourself. The crazy cosmic dance of the external word will then revolve around you, it may even crumble, but you will have an unending peace and

joy inside. How you can do this - How you can enjoy life without attachement, without clinging - I cannot tell you, this you will have to find out for yourself - but once you do you will be loving life!

Answer 1

I get your point but I'd hesitate to call it Philosophy.

I don't believe that having;

"The crazy cosmic dance of the external word will then revolve around you"

Is a responsible goal.

Read anything by Jiddu Krishnamurti, I believe you would enjoy his works.

Namaste..

Answer 2

Right on! This is a good follow up for me. I answered a question earlier about: what is your role in life? I said I was at a crossroads and to be honest it is affirming to hear that attachment to the ever-changing creates misery when you -fear the wrong move~ even if you have everything. I can cross the road , into a new adventure(assignment)! I've done it all my life without realising just how marvellous that ability really is. I feel weird a lot of times because most people cling to their attachments with a violent force of power struggles and I am forever letting it go . I believe it can be a mystery but I've seen it time and again that making these brave moves based on deep instinct brings a lot of blessings when we make the right moves it benefits everyone in the long run. Even our worst critics will be thinking~ Gee how do they do that? This exchange has really made me happy today.. I needed this point of view and I relate to it and God knows we all need some affirmation no matter how secure and confident we are in our uniquness! :) :) !!!!!

Answer 3

A little difficult to follow, but I think I get the gist.
Material possessions don't really help in the long-run, because you always end up wanting more.
Neither does hard wads of cash according to current research (probably for the same reasons, but I'd be prepared to test both those situations, as a "control" of course ! ;-).
Also not a good idea to base your feelings of self-worth on the opinions of others (unless you're a jerk, in which case you need the advice).
Transient things are likely to... transition, so if you base your happiness on those then you're in trouble when they change.
If that's essentially what you meant, then I agree wholeheartedly. Nice one! Good personal philosophy!

Answer 4

I thought it was quite good, although it had a bit of a dodgy start. A very positive philosophy with a very negative first sentence.....

Why not try a glass-half-full approach instead and say "misery is just happiness covered up with things"?

People tend to believe their environment and circumstances are the CAUSE of their misery, but actually, negative aspects of environment etc are merely creating BARRIERS to the happiness they could have from within.

Answer 5

I`d go with turning the happiness and misery around too. Other than that, yes it`s quite deep and must have taken some putting together, so i guess you have something going on in your head right now that you are covering up with this philosophy. Hope you`ve worked it out.

Answer 6

I would say that misery is not having things which would make one happy. Whilst you could be content with your own thoughts, in deep introspection, it is only when one is able to interact with others that a truly rewarding life is revealed. Whilst an attainment of things on their own account can lead to selfishness and a lack of empathy, it is surely one of life's joys to succeed in whatever task one sets oneself, one of which may be to achieve. The circumstances you find yourself in may be everchanging, but the enviornment in which they occurr crawls along at a snails pace. To think that the world would revolve around you is a symptom of narcissism and paranoia. Just thought of this in my tea-break

Answer 7

Its true. I would say the secret is to do things for others without expending yourself too much and be content with what you have while having the goal of improving yourself in various important areas of life.

Answer 8

Remember the four noble truths are: life is suffering, suffering is caused by desires, suffering can be overcome, follow the 8 fold path,"In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others." (http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm)
This can be said of any religion and outside of religion. If most people would follow their heart (if they would listen to it) then maybe they would be able to find happiness.

Answer 9

What did you have for lunch?
You have to choose whether you want of life of meaning or one of happiness. To have a life of happiness you must live in the present with no thought of the past or future. But to have a life with meaning, you must live ever for the future.

Answer 10

I agree with part of your philosophy:

"The outside world is ever changing, impermanent, insecure."

True....but so are we. So I think you are wrong in saying permanent is found inside of ourselves. We, too, are ever changing.

But hopefully we are changing for the better.

So where can permanence and lasting peace be found? In God. He alone does not change. He is a rock of strength.

Do not look for peace inside of yourself. Inside the heart of man a war is going on. Flesh vs. spirit. Good vs. evil. The tools to fight this battle are found with God.

You may think that today you have found joy and peace simply within yourself but perhaps tomorrow or 5 years from now you will discover that you cannot trust yourself and then you will be truly disallusioned.

Many Eastern mystics have tried the path you are following and it is a false one. The heart of man is restless.

"Our hearts are restless, O God, until they rest in You." --St. Augustine, 4th century theologian