YOGA FOR HAPPINESS
More than simply positive mood, happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life—that is, with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction.
Research shows that happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort. Money is important to happiness, but only to a certain point. Money buys freedom from worry about the basics in life—housing, food, clothing. Genetic makeup, life circumstances, achievements, marital status, social relationships, even your neighbors—all influence how happy you are. Or can be. So do individual ways of thinking and expressing feeling.
Researchers estimate that much of happiness is under personal control. Regularly indulging in small pleasures (such as warm baths!), getting absorbed in challenging activities, setting and meeting goals, maintaining close social ties, and finding purpose beyond oneself are all actions that increase life satisfaction.
When you ask people what makes their lives worth living, they rarely say anything about their mood. They are more likely to cite things that they find meaningful, such as their work or relationships.
Happiness is Not: A Final Destination
The old adage, “Are we there yet?” is often applied to discussions of happiness, as if a person works towards happiness and one day “arrives.” Contrary to popular belief, however, unless you are one of the few who won the genetic lottery and are naturally happy, it takes regular effort to maintain happiness. Most established techniques for becoming happier—keeping a gratitude journal, for example—are habits, not one-shot events, and most life events that make us happy in the short-term, like getting married or being promoted, fade over time as we adapt to them.
So, What IS Happiness?
In other words, you have the ability to control how you feel—and with consistent practice, you can form life-long habits for a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
YOGA APPROACH TO HAPPINESS
According to Yoga -
HAPPINESS is the Direction of life and the Goal is “Sukha Prapti , Dukha Nivrutti” and forms the Basis of Yoga.
Where is Happiness?
Happiness is not outside, it is within.
But if it is within us, why are we not happy always?
Because we are not aware of it, instead we search it outside. Try to get it from money, material gains, food etc.
HAPPINESS IS AN INNER STATE OF AN INDIVIDUAL.
HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND
When we are in this state of mind, Randomness is gone, Concentration prevails.
Is concentration happiness?
Increased concentration results in Fatigue and
Loss of interest.
Therefore, concentration is not happiness.
Then What is happiness?
Remember in the moments of happiness, the state of mind is completely free and In that moment of happiness mind is devoid of thoughts resulting in Absolute Silence.
SILENCE is HAPPINESS which is a thoughtless state of mind.
By Increasing Silence Happiness increases and they are Directly proportional.
What happens when Happiness is increased?
One will move on to different layers of consciousness ( Lokas) and Degree of Freedom increases.
YOGA CLASSIFICATION
Yoga approach divides Happiness into three categories:
- Physical happiness
- Mental happiness
- Spiritual happiness
Physical Happiness
- Regular and proper DIET
- Regular and proper REST
- Regular and proper EXERCISE
Mental Happiness
- Minimize Expectations
- Minimize Ego & Pride
- Minimize Negative Thoughts
Spiritual Happiness
- Recognize your individual SOUL as a separate entity from the body
- Unite the individual SOUL with the universal SOUL
- Live in the NOW
Do not live in the PAST, Free yourself of past memories and experiences.
Do not worry about the FUTURE, But plan for IT.
Free yourself in PRESENT, of any attachments and hatred (Raag Dvesh).
- Contribute and be compassionate towards existence without any expectations
- Meditate regularly and surrender to one’s own reality and embrace the Supreme Self