Religious scriptures speak about happiness sought after by everybody. Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, spoke about the different ways one can be happy: Being detached from material things, and selflessly working for peace, justice, serving the poor and the suffering, being some of them. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “If you are only a taker of happiness you get misery. If you are a giver of happiness, you get joy and love.” The irony about happiness is that the person who wants nothing will possess everything and vice versa. So the cause of unhappiness in our life lies in the craving in one’s heart for things outside of oneself because happiness is an inside job.

Most people chase happiness just like a puppy trying to catch its own tail, believing that happiness lies in catching it. You do not realize that happiness is not found somewhere up in the sky but it is to be sought and found in your heart. It fills your heart drop by drop when you engage yourself in your duties with a sincere and selfless heart, seeking peace among other people and working for their welfare. People like Mother Teresa, Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and scores of others have traced for us the way to true happiness which nobody can take away from you unless you banish it from your life with your selfishness, anxieties and worries.

“There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path,” aptly quipped Shri Buddha. The goal of every spirituality is to help you attain such happiness which nobody can take away from you. Therefore, in the quest for happiness, discover it within yourself through self-awareness and meditation. Be happy now whatever the circumstance may be and resolve to remain happy. So every day, make a resolution: “Today, I am just going to be happy, come what may. I will not let anything selfish disturb my inner peace and happiness. I am going to be contented, happy.”

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Open the newspapers and what do we read? Sordid stories accompanied by photographs of bloodshed, of brother killing brother, of honour killings at the hands of the poor unfortunate’s own family, of terrorism and of suicide bombings. Sensationalism is on the front pages. This creates a feeling of negativity amongst the readers. Inspiring stories of courage and of generosity are hidden somewhere in the back pages.

Spurred on by the media that puts one-upmanship on a pedestal, we are constantly striving towards power, prestige and material wealth by fair means or foul. We have forgotten how to give. Let us not be slaves of the media and think for ourselves.

Wise religious leaders have preached a doctrine contrary to the sordid culture of exploitation, of insatiable greed. They taught of LOVE. An unconditional love bestowed gratis from a munificent God on everyone on earth even though no one deserved it. They taught of caring for one’s fellowmen. The strange thing about this love is that the more we expend it, the more deposit of love grows within us. If we keep God’s love to ourselves, we will get none in return and we will be increasingly unhappy.

Many young people live with their parents in our country unlike in the west where they live separately much earlier. While our way of life makes the bonds stronger between generations, it is regrettable that many youngsters feel that they must make the most of these years through self-gratification. “Let’s make the best of these wonderful, carefree years”, they feel, “for they will never come back.” This attitude results in endless and inane messaging, spending precious time of sending silly messages on what they ate, on Facebook, partying, going for movies just to while away their time.

Enjoying yourself in a wholesome way without resorting to binge drinking and drugs is fine. But it should not be the be-all and end-all of your existence. It is time to grow up and to act like an adult which implies taking on responsibilities. Lend a helping hand to your mother who may be rustling up a delicious meal after a hard day at work. Help your kid brother or sister with their studies.

As we grow older, we have less time for social causes. It is here that the youth could step in with their vast resources of energy, dynamism, talents and positive attitude. Armed with his guitar, Benny sings for the sick at a nearby hospital and thus spreads cheer. Siddharth entertains paediatric cancer patients with his magic tricks. My daughter, Minal, recollects the satisfaction she got in teaching young orphans during her college days. Some join the movement of keeping Mumbai’s beaches clean. There are opportunities galore. It is up to you to tap them, thereby making the world a better place.

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