How does happiness factor into your spirituality?

Question

For example, Christianity (in general) doesn't seem to hold a special place for one's individual happiness and enjoyment of life. How does the concept of happiness or the pursuit of happiness figure into YOUR spirituality? What is the role that happiness plays? Or is personal happiness seen as taking away from spirituality in your belief system?

For all spiritual points of view.

Answer 1

For me, the spiritualy centered I became, the happier I became. Understanding seemed to create a fulfillment for me. My faith grew stronger and did my general outlook on life became much better. I found myself being kinder to others and more open. So, for me, it was and continues to be a postive experience all the way around. I really think that is the way The Divine intended it to be. Blessings, Diana

Answer 2

Joy, or happiness if you define it that way, is clearly a spiritual thing. Any religion that denies that can't be worth your time and attention.

Finding the place where your spirit is in tune with the symbols and rituals, where the other members of the group are likable people with a pleasant attitude, can clearly bring you closer to the divine. I personally fail to see how anyone can argue otherwise, but I'll read the other answers and see.

I suppose if the focus is on sin and repent, that can get pretty grim. But to me, the divine is a dancing maiden, a nurturing mother, a kindly and wise old crone. The masculine forces are likewise divine as the inquisitive lad, the protecting lord, and the wise and kindly old sage.

We dance in the moonlight with our moon shadows, with drum and pipe and cymbals on our fingers we dance the joy of life. Come join us if you like! Or get to know the laughing Buddha, the joyful spirits of many cultures, and forget those with long faces and dire warnings of hellfire and damnation.

Answer 3

Happiness is not somthing that the Bible promotes, because happiness, as the word suggests, is based on what happens. If something good happens then you are happy, and if something bad then you are sad. The bible suggests the pursuit of joy. Joy is the internal result of a relationship with God and is consistant regardless of what happens in your life. You can be joyful in terrible circumstances because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Like all human beings we enjoy happiness, but seek more for the joy of the Lord.

Answer 4

It's not the happiness that plays a role. Rather, it's the spirituality that brings happiness in life.

I believe in God, I seek His support in everything I do. I accept whatever happens and take life as it comes. This gives me a positive approach towards life and keeps me happy.

Answer 5

Finding purpose spiritually gives fulfillment. Fulfillment leads to a lasting happiness or joy that can survive the bumps on the road of life.

Answer 6

that's person-friendly to locate happiness. keeping happiness is way harder to do. if you're continually putting others in the front of you, eventually you're probable to be dissatisfied by others taking benefit of you. that's no longer person-friendly to allow somebody else get interior the cab earlier you once you've an urgent appointment that you're already overdue for. in case you do not, then pressure is going to advance which motives disappointment. also, that's in problem-free words a generalisation that the wealthy are grasping and the undesirable are type. Are you your self very undesirable and prepared to fortunately supply your blouse to persons, or are you larger priviledged than that and romanticising poverty like many priviledged human beings do? There are study that instruct that wealthy each man or woman is mostly happier, and happier each man or woman is in many cases kinder to others because they're satisfied somewhat than bitter or suffering adversarial to life. maximum folk in penitentiary for severe crimes come from poorer economic backgrounds too, even even with the reality that in western society noone desires to do crime because state welfare gives you the minimum criteria to stay.

Answer 7

I'm not Christian. I believe the here and now is all we really have. Happiness is a measure of how good life is right now and it comes from the most unexpected places. Making another person smile, doing a good job at work, etc.

Answer 8

I like this verse:
The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings.
He knows he is going to die, and he has nothing left to hold on to:
no illusions in his mind, no resistances in his body.
He does not think about his actions; they flow from the core of his being.
He holds nothing back from life; therefore he is ready for death,
as a man is ready for sleep after a good day's work.

I have no reason to not be happy. Nothing can happen that isn't going to happen anyway and what is the worse that can happen? I die a few years earlier....

Answer 9

All one has to do is BE happy. It's just a choice.
No matter about spirutuality or religion or anything.
Just be happy. Simple.
Spirituality is realizing that we are first and foremost spiritual beings.
Religion has nothing to do with spirituality. Religion is beliefs invented by man/church.
We create our own reality by our beliefs.

Answer 10

Hang on. What Christianity are you talking about?
And what do you mean by happiness?

Both are shallow concepts that need to be specified.
Christianity died with the Disciples.
True happiness is unachievable.

So?