Happiness and what that means
- juliakboehmschmidt
- Oct 19, 2024
- 4 min read
What Does Happiness Really Mean?
Learning to Embrace Joy
What is happiness?
Is it the feeling you get when you buy something new?
The satisfaction of eating your favorite dessert?
Or maybe the thrill of achieving a big milestone in life?
For many of us, happiness seems to be tied to these fleeting moments.
But what does happiness truly mean beyond the temporary dopamine hits we often confuse for joy?
In today’s fast-paced world, we're conditioned to chase after the next big thing—
be it a promotion, a new car, or a vacation in paradise.
Every time we achieve one of these, we get a surge of dopamine, that feel-good hormone that makes us think, “Ah, now I’m happy.”
But inevitably, the excitement fades, and we're left searching for the next thing to fill that void.
This cycle of chasing external pleasures creates a constant, underlying sense of dissatisfaction.
We eat the cake, buy the luxury item, and still, something is missing. Why?
Because happiness is not the same as pleasure.
Temporary pleasures, while enjoyable, don’t sustain a sense of deeper fulfillment.
As spiritual teacher Deepak Chopra says, "Happiness for a reason is just another form of misery because the reason can be taken away from you at any time."
What Is True Happiness?
So, what is happiness if it’s not found in the cake or the car?
True happiness is something far deeper and more lasting—it’s a state of contentment and peace that isn’t reliant on external circumstances.
It’s an internal state of being that can exist whether things are going your way or not.
From a Buddhist perspective, happiness is about cultivating inner peace and contentment by understanding the impermanent nature of life.
In Buddhism, it’s believed that clinging to desires, people, or material things causes suffering,
while letting go of attachments leads to freedom and lasting joy.
Happiness in this sense isn’t about chasing something new;
it’s about embracing the present moment and finding happiness in what already is.
It’s being able to experience joy without fear of losing it, and sadness without being overwhelmed by it. In other words, happiness is a deep sense of equanimity—
a steady, calm state of mind, no matter what comes your way.
Healing to Experience Joy
Interestingly, many of us spend our lives healing from past traumas or difficult experiences
in order to open ourselves up to happiness.
But healing doesn’t just mean moving beyond pain;
it also means learning to handle the joy that comes after.
When we’ve spent so long in survival mode, used to feelings of sadness, anger, or fear, it can be challenging to experience true joy.
It’s unfamiliar territory, and sometimes, we even sabotage our own happiness
because pain is what feels safe and known.
Healing allows us to rewire that narrative. It teaches us that joy doesn’t have to be fleeting or frightening. Through healing, we learn that we deserve to experience happiness, not just moments of pleasure, and that we can lean into love, peace, and contentment without fear.
Happiness Is an Inside Job
To cultivate real happiness, we need to shift our focus from external achievements and material gains to inner peace and well-being.
Deepak Chopra highlights the importance of living in alignment with your true self—finding happiness in meaningful connections, mindfulness, and a sense of purpose rather than in things that fade.
Ask yourself, what would happen if you stopped chasing happiness in external places?
What if you allowed yourself to experience joy, not because you earned it, but simply because you are worthy of it? Happiness is about learning to fully embrace life as it is, in its messiness, beauty, and simplicity.
How to Cultivate Lasting Happiness
Practice mindfulness: Live in the moment and learn to appreciate the small things.
Happiness doesn’t exist in the future; it’s found in the now.
Embrace contentment: Instead of chasing the next big thing, cultivate gratitude for what you already have. Contentment breeds happiness.
Let go of attachments: According to Buddhist teachings, attachments to desires and expectations lead to suffering. Learning to let go creates space for peace and joy.
Heal your emotional wounds: Healing allows you to make space for joy. It helps you learn to embrace happiness without fear or self-sabotage.
Find meaning: True happiness is often tied to a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Engage in activities that align with your values and bring a sense of fulfillment.
Happiness isn’t about constantly chasing the next big thrill.
It’s about cultivating an internal sense of peace, joy, and contentment.
It’s about healing, letting go, and learning to truly live. As Deepak Chopra beautifully puts it,
“The healthiest response to life is joy.”
So, what are you chasing?
Maybe it’s time to slow down, look inward, and realize that happiness has been within you all along.
For more guidance on emotional healing and cultivating joy, explore our upcoming events and workshops at Sacred Emotions, where we dive deep into finding balance and harmony in life.
Comments