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MANANGAN, OPHELIA V.
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE
SEPTEMBER 2016

HAPPINESS IS NOT A DESTINATION, IT IS A WAY OF LIFE

Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by

positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.
If you want to be happy, be. Whether or not it is clear to us,
practically at every step of our life we are face with different problems of
choosing. In the life of each person there are some crucial moments when
the whole future depends on our decision and mistake would be irreparable.
This include the choice of our profession( higher education and job), our

second half, but first of all, everyone of us is to choose whether to be a

pessimist saying the bottle is half-empty or an optimist saying it is half-full.
This is the choice is maybe the most important one, as it defines your whole
lifestyle and first of all whether you would ever be happy.
Our life being overstuffed with trifles will be a constant nightmare if to
pay too much attention to them all. Sometimes we cant resist the
temptation to complain about the problems that are pouring in, but isnt it
better to look for a silver lining of our clouds? It is the only way to
happiness- never losing your optimistic attitude to life, even to the most
frustrating things happening to you. But its only your choice whether to
follow the way of happiness or not.
Happiness lies deep within us, in the very core of our being. Happiness
does not exist in any external object, but only in us, who are the
consciousness that experiences
happiness.Though we seem to derive happiness from external objects or
experiences, the happiness that we thus enjoy in fact arises from within us.
Whatever turmoil our mind may be in, in the centre of our being there
always exists a state of perfect peace and joy, like the calm in the eye of a
storm. Desire and fear agitate our mind, and obscure from its view the
happiness that always exists within it. When a desire is satisfied, or the
cause of a fear is removed, the surface agitation of our mind subsides, and in
that temporary calm our mind enjoys a taste of its own innate happiness.

Happiness is thus a state of being a state in which our minds

habitual agitation is calmed. The activity of our mind disturbs it from its
calm state of just being, and causes it to lose sight of its own innermost
happiness. To enjoy happiness, therefore, all our mind need do is to cease all
activity, returning calmly to its natural state of inactive being, as it does daily
in deep sleep.
The state of just being is one in which our mind does not rise to do,
think or know anything, yet it is a state of full consciousness consciousness
not of anything else but only of being. The skill that is to be learnt in this art
is not simply the skill to be because we always are and therefore require
no special skill or effort to be , nor is it merely the skill to be without doing
or thinking anything because we are able to be so each day in deep
dreamless sleep.
The skill to be cultivated is the skill to remain calmly and peacefully
without doing or thinking anything, but nevertheless retaining a perfectly
clear consciousness of being that is, consciousness of our own being or
essential am-ness. Only in this pristine state of clear non- dual selfconscious
being, unclouded by the distracting agitation of thought and action, will the
true nature of being become perfectly clear, obvious, selfevident and free
from even the least scope for doubt or confusion.
Our first and most direct experience of being is that of our own being
or existence. First we know that we exist, and then only can we know of the

existence of other things. But whereas our own existence is self-conscious,

the existence of each other thing depends on us to be known.
We know our own being because we are consciousness. In other words,
our being is itself the consciousness that knows itself. It knows itself
because it is essentially self-conscious.
Thus it is reasonable to hypothesise that consciousness is the primal and
essential form of
being. Without consciousness, being would be unknown, and without being,
consciousness
would not exist.
Our being and our consciousness of being are inseparable in fact
they are identical and both are expressed by the single phrase I am. This
being-consciousness, I am, is our most fundamental experience, and the
most fundamental experience of every sentient being. I am is the one basic
consciousness the essential non-dual self-consciousness without which
nothing would be known. I am is therefore the source and foundation of all
knowledge.
Knowing that our mind possesses this wonderful power of creation and
self-deception, is it not reasonable for us to suspect that the body we take to
be I and the world we take to be real in our present waking state may in
fact be nothing more than a mere imagination or mental projection, just like
the body and world that we experience in dream? What evidence do we
have that the body and world we experience in this waking state are

anything other than a creation of our own mind? We may be able to point
out certain differences between waking and dream, but on analysis we will
discover that those differences are superficial, being concerned
with quality or quantity rather than with substance.
If we truly understand that we are not a body, nor the mind which
imagines itself to be a body, and that every form of unhappiness that we
experience is caused only by our mistaken identification with a body, we will
endeavour to destroy that false identification by undertaking practical
research to discover who or what we really are. To know what we really are,
we must cease attending to any other things, and must attend instead to
ourself, the consciousness that knows those other things.
All the unhappiness, discontent and misery that we experience in our
life is caused only by our ignorance or confused knowledge of who or what
we really are. So long as we limit ourself by identifying a body as I, we will
feel desire for whatever we think is necessary for our survival in that body,
and for whatever we think will make our life in that body more comfortable
and pleasant. Likewise we will feel fear and dislike of whatever we think
threatens our survival in that body, and of whatever we think will make our
life in it less comfortable or pleasant. When we do not get whatever we
desire or like, and when we cannot avoid whatever we fear or dislike, we feel
unhappy, discontented or miserable.
However, so long as the mind exists, it will inevitably have a will of its
own. Desire and attachment are inherent in the mind, the very fabric of

which it is made. Therefore, so long as we feel ourself to be an individual I,

we will also have an individual will, and will feel a sense of attachment to
mine. The only way we can surrender our own will and give up all our
attachments is to surrender the mind that has an individual will and feels
attachment to the body and other possessions.
Trying to surrender our individual will and sense of mine our
desires and attachments without actually surrendering our individuality, our
ego or sense of being a separate I, is like cutting the leaves and branches
off a tree without cutting its root. Until and unless we cut the root, the
branches and leaves will continue sprouting again and again.
Similarly, until and unless we surrender our ego, the root of all our
desires and
attachments, all our efforts to give up our desires and attachments will fail,
because they will continue to sprout again and again in one subtle form or
another. Therefore self-surrender can be complete and final only when our
individual self, the limited consciousness that we call our mind or ego, is
surrendered wholly.
What is the key to happiness? Jesus mentioned happiness in the very
first words of his most famous sermon. He said: Happy are those conscious
of their spiritual need.(Matthew 5:3) what did he mean? What is our spiritual
need?
To survive we need to breathe, drink, and eat, just as animal do. But to
be happy, we have a need that animals do naot have-the need for

understanding the purpose of life. Only the creator of life can fill that need..
Thus, Jesus said: man mustlive, not on bread alone but on every utterance
coming forth through Jehovahs mouth. Those who are conscious of their
spiritual need are happy because they draw close to Jehovah, the happy
god, and he gives them something vital for happiness-hope.
What is the greatest source of happiness? Doing things for the people
can make you happy, but doing things for God can make you happier. Even
the happiness of proud parents who love their children cannot compare
with it. This is clear from what took place on one occasion while Jesus was
teaching publicly.
The Bible is a source of that needed direction. Consider just one of its
booksPsalms. This book is a collection of 150 sacred songs to Jehovah God,
about half being composed by King David of ancient Israel. But of greater
importance than knowing the identity of the writers is knowing that this book
was written under the inspiration of mankinds greatest Friend, Jehovah. We
can thus be sure that it contains divine guidance for our good and that it
points the way to happiness.
The writers of the Psalms were sure that happiness is a by-product of a
persons having a wholesome relationship with God. Happy is the man in
fear of Jehovah, wrote the psalmist. No human relationship, no material
possession, and no personal accomplishment can bring the happiness that
comes from belonging to the people whose Godis Jehovah. The lives of
numerous modern-day servants of God bear this out.

Susanne, in her early 40s, is one example. She said: Today, many join
certain groups to achieve common goals or to share common interests.
Seldom, however, do they view everyone in the group as a friend. With
Jehovahs people, it is different. Our love for Jehovah makes us have affection
for one another. Among Gods people, we are at home, regardless of where
we happen to be at the moment. This unity enriches our life enormously.
Who else can lay claim to having friends from totally different social groups
and backgrounds and of the widest variety of nationalities? With all my heart,
I can say that belonging to Jehovahs people is what results in happiness.
Maree, born in Scotland, also learned that a fine relationship with Jehovah is
vital if one is to find happiness. Before learning Bible truth, sherelated, I
enjoyed watching horror movies. But at night I couldnt get to sleep without
holding a cross in my hand to ward off ghosts and vampires, which many of
the films were about.
Once I learned the truth, however, and stopped watching such films,
my relationship with Jehovah made it possible for me to go to bed without
fear, happy to serve a God more powerful than demons or imagined
vampires.
Trusting in Jehovah Leads to Happiness. We have no reason to doubt
the Creatorsalmightiness and his limitless wisdom. Knowing that he could
have complete confidence inJehovah and that he could take refuge in Him,

David wrote: Happy is the able-bodied man thathas put Jehovah as his
trust.
Maria said: My experience in Spain and elsewhere has been that when
we do thingsJehovahs way, even though our feelings and emotions may
incline us to do otherwise, we getthe best possible results. This makes for
happiness because Jehovahs way is always thebest. Andreas, a Christian
elder who has served in several European lands, also knows frompersonal
experience that we can put our trust in Jehovah. He said: My older brother,
who doesnot share my faith, strongly influenced me during myyouth,
encouraging me to pursue a financially rewarding career. He was extremely
disappointed when I took up the ministry full-time and did not rely on the socalled security provided by secular pension plans. During my full-time
service, I have never been in need, and I have experienced blessings of
which others can only dream.
In 1993, Felix was invited to help enlarge the facilities of the branch
office of Jehovahs
Witnesses in Selters, Germany. Once the work was finished, he was invited to
become a
permanent part of the Bethel family there. His reaction? I accepted the
invitation with certainreservations. But now I have been here for almost ten
years, and I am convinced that Jehovah answered my prayers. He knows
what is best for me. By placing complete confidence in him and letting him
direct me, I give him an opportunity to show me what he wants me todo.

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Susanne, mentioned earlier, wanted to serve as a full-time minister, a

pioneer, but she had difficulty finding a part-time job. After waiting a year for
something to turn up, she acted with trust in Jehovah. She related: I turned
in my application for regular pioneering. I had saved enough to pay my
normal expenses for about a month. And what a dramatic month it turned
out to be! My ministry was a source of great joy, but one job interview after
another failed. As Jehovah had promised, however, he did not desert me. On
the last day of the month, I was able to sign a job contract. Now I knew that I
really could trust in Jehovah! This first experience in full-time service has
contributed to a rewarding and happy life.
Happiness From Showing. Consideration to Others Happy is anyone
acting with consideration toward the lowly one, David wrote. He continued:
In the day of calamity Jehovah will provide escape for him. Jehovah himself
will guard him and preserve him alive. He will be pronounced happy. The
loving consideration that David showed toward Mephibosheth, the lame son
of Davids beloved friend Jonathan, is an example of the rightattitude toward
the lowly one.
Marlies, who has been a missionary for 47 years, is privileged to
preach among people who had to flee from crisis areas of Africa, Asia, and
Eastern Europe. She said: They have a variety of problems and generally
feel that they are not fully accepted, that they, in fact, arediscriminated
against. Helping such people always brings happiness. Marina, in her early
40s, wrote: Being single, I know what it means when others are there for

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you. This moves me to encourage people by telephoning them or writing

them letters. Many have expressed their appreciation. Helping others brings
me joy.
The book of Psalms also mentions other things that make for
happiness. One is the importance of relying on Jehovahs strength rather
than on oneself: Happy are the men whose strength is in [Jehovah].
Corinna can relate to this. She moved to a country where there was a
great need in the ministry. I encountered a new language, a new culture,
and a new way of thinking. I felt as though I were on a different planet. I
choked up at the thought of preaching in a strange environment. I asked
Jehovah for help, and it was in his strength that I was able to preach allday in
isolated territory. In time, doing so seemed to be the most natural thing in
the world. Istarted many Bible studies, and I am still benefiting from this
experience. I learned that inJehovahs strength, we can overcome even
seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Yes, various factors contribute to happiness, such as cultivating
friendship with God and with his people, trusting in Jehovah implicitly,
accepting his divine counsel, and being considerate of others. By walking in
Jehovahs ways and obeying his laws, we can happily by asking his favor.
The Recipe for True. A good recipe and a good cook make for a good
meal! In a way, it is similar with happiness. It is not the result of a single
factor, but many things in life come together to produce happiness. These

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include work, play, time with family and friends, and spiritual activities. But
there are also more subtle factors, such as attitudes, desires, and goals
in life.
Thankfully, we do not have to figure out the recipe for true happiness
by ourselves. Why not? Because our Creator has given us a wonderful book
of instruction, the Bible, which is now available in whole or in part in 2,377
languages and dialectsfar more than any other publication in the world!
This impressive circulation reflects Gods concern for the happiness
and spiritual welfareof all people. I . . . am . . . the One teaching you to
benefit yourself, God says. If we heed hiscommandments, then he promises
us tranquility and peace, just like a river.
That promise calls to mind the words of Jesus that were quoted in the
preceding article: Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need. The
spirituality mentioned here is not superficial piety. Rather, it influences our
life as a whole. It reflects our willingness to listen to and be taught by God
because we recognize that he knows us much better than we know
ourselves. What convinces me more than anything else that the Bible is
from God, says Errol,
a Bible student for over 50 years, is that when you apply its teachings, they
work! Consider, for example, the Bibles excellent counsel on matters such
as the pursuit of richesand pleasures. Wise Guidance Regarding Money Even
when a person has an abundance, Jesus said, his life does not result from
the things he possesses. Yes, your true value asa person, especially in Gods

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eyes, has nothing to do with the size of your bank account. In fact,the pursuit
of wealth often adds anxieties, which sap the joy out of life and steal time
from more important pursuits.
The Bible encourages us to work hard and to enjoy the fruits of our
labor. By doing so, we increase our self- respectanother vital ingredient in
happiness. We may also be able to enjoy some of lifes wholesome pleasures.
There is a difference, however, between enjoying some of the good things
money offers and making the pursuit of riches the focus of our life.
Pleasures Have Their Place. A spiritual outlook on life helps us to gain
the greatest benefit from recreation, entertainment, and other pleasures.
Jesus enjoyed pleasurable occasions that included food and drink. But these
things were by no means the prime source of his joy in life. Rather, he found
the greatest delight in spiritual pursuits, which included helping others to
learn about God and his purpose for humankind.
Empty and unfulfilledthat is how pleasure- seekers usually feel. In
fact, when
researchers compared the pursuit of pleasures with such things as
meaningful work, spiritual
activities, and involvement with family, they found that pleasure-seeking
rated as the least consequential factor in their subjects overall happiness.
Be Generous and Thankful. Instead of being self-centered, happy
people tend to be generous and interested in others. There is more
happiness in giving than there is in receiving, said Jesus. Besides giving in a

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material way, we can give of our time and energy, which may be even more
appreciated, especially in the family. Husbands and wives need to spend
time together to keep their marriage strong and happy, and parents need to
make ample time for their children, talking with them, showing them
affection, and teaching them. When family members give in such ways, they
thrive and their home becomes a haven of happiness.
It comes as no surprise that over a period of six weeks, the subjects
felt noticeably more satisfied with life. The lesson? No matter what your
situation, learn to count your blessings. In fact, the Bible urges you to do so,
saying: Always be rejoicing. . . . In connection with everything give thanks.
In order to do that, of course, we need to make a conscious effort to
recall the good things we experience. Why not make that a personal goal?
Love and HopeEssential for Happiness.
It has rightly been said that from the cradle to the grave, humans need
love. Without it, People pine away. But what exactly is love? Although the
word is used loosely nowadays, the Bible beautifully describes it: Love is
long-suffering and kind, it says. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does
not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own
interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury.
It does not rejoice
over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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How unselfish true love is! Because it does not look for its own
interests, it places the happiness of others ahead of self. Sadly, such love is
becoming increasingly rare. In fact, in his great prophecy about the end of
the present system of things, Jesus said that the love ofthe greater number
[would] cool off.
This situation, however, will not go on forever, for it is an affront to the
Creatorthe very personification of love! Soon God will rid the earth of all
people who are filled with hatred or who are governed by greed. He will
preserve alive only those who strive to cultivate the love described above. As
a result, peace and happiness will reign earth wide. The Bible promise is sure
to be fulfilled: Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more;
and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the
meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their
exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Happiness
Htttp://en.m.wikipedia.com

Happiness is a choice- Starts your Journey

Journeytobestme.com/blog/2015/03/17/happiness is a choice/
Fri. February 26, 2016

Happiness and the art of being

Uadu Npadu-the Forty [Verses] on That Which Is, another Tamil poem
that Sri Ramana composed in 1928.
Pdf_Sat. February 27, 2016

How to find happiness- Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Wol.jw.org/en/wol/r1/lp-e2010556
Fri. March 4, 2016