People of all beliefs, are you actually happy?

I believe in one thing and one thing only, myself. I do not mean this in a self centered sense, but a sense of perception and feeling of the soul, and through that, I am totally happy, albeit it sometimes comes through in some strange way that really takes an open mind to understand. In short. yes.

Great question OP. S&F for you.

reply to post by mbartelsm


I would say overall... yes, I am happy. A little weary and concerned about others and the secular movement. But generally happy. see Im smiling - theo-

Yes, i am content and at peace with myself and the world. The pain and struggle is over now. Acceptance of oneself. Total co operation with the inevitable. Life feels safe and calm.

Originally posted by yyyyyyyyyy
reply to post by loves a conspiricy

 

quote No one is truly happy all of the time not even...

How do you know this? What if I showed you someone who was, even one person would prove this incorrect. I think its possible to be happy all the time according to the idea of happiness stated in the OP (ie not getting too lost in the meaning of the exact words). I would say certain Buddhists would qualify it is a big world after all.

And really fleshing out your answer, I still feel its not right because even with all the terrible things that happen in the world it has to be understood that happiness exists within us and is a state created by the brain, to give an extreme example that I TRY to follow from the Buddha, even if an enemy were to cut off your legs it is correct to feel only forgiveness and love to that person, as I said I try to live this. It's like do you allow outside forces to influence your internal state and I believe some people don't.

Peace

edit on 8-4-2011 by yyyyyyyyyy because: (no reason given)

Well.....go and find me one

How can you be happy 24 hours a day 365 days a year? Theres always something that will make you unhappy and when you sleep you have 0 control over what your dreaming about. I dont mean lucid dreams or anything like that i mean the dreams 99.9% of the population have.

So we can say from that, you can only ever be happy 50% of the time at most.

Then add daily problems people face and situations beyond your control. Its all very well saying that if a buddhist had his legs chopped off he wouldnt feel unhappy but theres no proof of this. Im pretty sure anyone who has their legs chopped off wouldnt be happy as larry about it no matter what their beliefs are. The prospect of living a life with no lower limbs is not something a person could be happy about.

Unless you sit indoors all day making yourself feel good 24hrs 365 days) you cant be happy 50% of the time.

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
Yes, i am content and at peace with myself and the world. The pain and struggle is over now. Acceptance of oneself. Total co operation with the inevitable. Life feels safe and calm.

You do know how wrong that sounds right?

Originally posted by loves a conspiricy

Originally posted by yyyyyyyyyy
reply to post by loves a conspiricy

 

quote No one is truly happy all of the time not even...

How do you know this? What if I showed you someone who was, even one person would prove this incorrect. I think its possible to be happy all the time according to the idea of happiness stated in the OP (ie not getting too lost in the meaning of the exact words). I would say certain Buddhists would qualify it is a big world after all.

And really fleshing out your answer, I still feel its not right because even with all the terrible things that happen in the world it has to be understood that happiness exists within us and is a state created by the brain, to give an extreme example that I TRY to follow from the Buddha, even if an enemy were to cut off your legs it is correct to feel only forgiveness and love to that person, as I said I try to live this. It's like do you allow outside forces to influence your internal state and I believe some people don't.

Peace

edit on 8-4-2011 by yyyyyyyyyy because: (no reason given)

Well.....go and find me one

How can you be happy 24 hours a day 365 days a year? Theres always something that will make you unhappy and when you sleep you have 0 control over what your dreaming about. I dont mean lucid dreams or anything like that i mean the dreams 99.9% of the population have.

So we can say from that, you can only ever be happy 50% of the time at most.

Then add daily problems people face and situations beyond your control. Its all very well saying that if a buddhist had his legs chopped off he wouldnt feel unhappy but theres no proof of this. Im pretty sure anyone who has their legs chopped off wouldnt be happy as larry about it no matter what their beliefs are. The prospect of living a life with no lower limbs is not something a person could be happy about.

Unless you sit indoors all day making yourself feel good 24hrs 365 days) you cant be happy 50% of the time.

You are still thinking about momentary happiness, I'm talking about overall happiness, of course you can't be happy 100% of the time, but thats the essence of life, what would happiness be without sadness to remind you what happiness is? what would peace be without war to remind you what peace is? what you need to do is to appreciate your life, to thank for what you have (i don't care to whom, but to give thanks makes you aware of all the good things you have)

reply to post by mbartelsm


No, i don't. You are the one that it sounds wrong to. I wouldn't have written it if it was wrong to me. Would you like to expand on why you think this is the wrong thing to say?

reply to post by mbartelsm


I am more likely to use the term content, than happy. My sense of contentment is the product of not being locked into any belief system. I describe myself as 'spiritually independent' because my leanings change as my experiences and knowledge do.

I suspect that if I bought into a belief system, that I would lose the ability to remain open-minded and flexible.

Life and reality are not static or rigidly black and white, so I think a belief system has the capability of making one less content by depriving one of the psychological shock absorber of being able to 'go with the flow' and be true to one's own reality and experiences in this lifetime.

reply to post by mbartelsm

As the title says, are you really happy with what you do and what you believe?

Yes very happy! It's very satisfying and humbling to know that God loves me, doesn't judge me, and has adopted me into His family through the redemptive work of Christ and His shed blood.

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
reply to post by mbartelsm

 

No, i don't. You are the one that it sounds wrong to. I wouldn't have written it if it was wrong to me. Would you like to expand on why you think this is the wrong thing to say?

Because of this: "Total co operation with the inevitable", there is nothing inevitable, there is always a choice, you make your destiny as it comes to you, because, what would life mean if you can't do anything about it?

reply to post by mbartelsm


Life happens, it is inevitable. It is much easier to accept life as it comes than to fight. The only choice there is, is co operation or resistance. Resistance is futile. Freewill as such has not be proven.

I am very happy with my "religion," if one can call it that. I call myself a Wiccan, for lack of a better word, accepting all, hating none, follow the Golden Rule always. The Goddess watches over me, and always answers my small prayers and petitions to Her, She provided me with a good wife half my age to spend my latter years with, and the knowledge to make a living for my family no matter how broke the economy gets. I know when I pass over, she will be waiting with open arms.

Originally posted by mbartelsm
As the title says, are you really happy with what you do and what you believe?
when I say "happy" I do not mean the momentary kind of happy, but an overall happiness, the kind of happiness that makes you feel life is worth living every single second.

You don't have to answer this question, this is for you only, if you want you can lie to me or everyone else here, I'm not trying to prove a point, but please, no matter what you say, don't lie to yourself.

My religion is not what makes my happy, it is my relationship with Jesus,and it goes past happiness,it is a joy that is unspeakable, with a peace that you cannot explain,

Before coming to Christ I tried many things to fill the void,and many drugs to lift me up ,but I can honestly say that none of it compares to what I have found through my relationship with Jesus, and I am not lieing to myself as you seem to imply, in fact if the above was not a true statement,I would still be searching.

I'm an atheist. I'm happy. I love my family, I love my friends. Just because I don't believe in God doesn't mean i'm not a kind person.

Originally posted by MIMRblazin
I'm an atheist. I'm happy. I love my family, I love my friends. Just because I don't believe in God doesn't mean i'm not a kind person.

I agree with you, you don't have to believe in order to be good kind respectful and most of all happy, it comes from within you

reply to post by mbartelsm


What does "happiness" which is nothing more than an EMOTION meant to pass and not last have to do with Salvation? Your getting your emotions and theology mixed up I'm afraid.

JOY comes from knowing Jesus Christ, and knowing where you will go when you die. This does not mean you have to "fake" being happy all the time, nor does it mean if I am not happy, then my religion is fake. Keep human emotions out of religious debates. You will end up like a tongue flapping charismatic if you don't.

reply to post by mbartelsm


i have a druidistic earth mother belief...and yes, it makes me happy to know that i let my religion influence me to live my life healthy and to take care of myself aswell as those i share my life with if all were to do this i would have consistant momentary happyness aswell as overall happyness. it makes me overall happy to know that even though i cant change this world im helping in some way delaying my spots destruction by polution or war or hatred for even an extra 2 seconds because i took care of it better than another spot in the world. so yes i am happy.

Originally posted by KJV1611
reply to post by mbartelsm

 

What does "happiness" which is nothing more than an EMOTION meant to pass and not last have to do with Salvation? Your getting your emotions and theology mixed up I'm afraid.

JOY comes from knowing Jesus Christ, and knowing where you will go when you die. This does not mean you have to "fake" being happy all the time, nor does it mean if I am not happy, then my religion is fake. Keep human emotions out of religious debates. You will end up like a tongue flapping charismatic if you don't.

You still haven't answered the question, does your religion (or lack of) makes you happy?

reply to post by mbartelsm


I guess 'no belief' counts in this discussion, so I'll just toss my two cents in.

More or less, I'm happy. I obviously fluctuate, but I tend towards the 'happy' end of the spectrum. Had more to do with taking charge of my life than being an atheist...though I'd say that accepting my lack of belief in deities had a lot to do with accepting that I have to take responsibility for my life.

reply to post by mbartelsm


As my post was implying (which you seem to have glanced right over) happiness does not MATTER. I can "think" myself happy at any given time. Its just an emotion man, don't rely or think happiness means anything. Its an emotion that comes and goes just like anger, lust, greed, selfishness and so forth.

I will tell you what makes me happy though....collecting coins. Finding a great rare coin makes me VERY happy! Does that mean I should quit my religion and join a coin cult while worshiping the roman gods found on many of them?
My job also makes me happy from time to time. Should I trust in my job to get me to Heaven? No on both accounts.

Do you see how silly your premises is now? It really is a weak argument with no point to it.

P.s. Yes, reading my Holy King James Bible, and talking to my Savior Jesus Christ does make me happy. But I am never happy ALL the time. If you are, then your either on drugs, or mentally handicapped.