The Roots of Strength and the
Search for True Happiness
The values of dedication, selflessness, and appreciation for beauty—anchored in truth, justice, moral integrity, love, and compassion—are the timeless foundations that have enabled humanity to grow and thrive. It is only by returning to this deep well of tested wisdom that we can rediscover the vitality and bravery needed to face life’s challenges today.
The Modern Pursuit of
Happiness
Odd as it may seem,
identifying truly happy individuals is a far more difficult task than expected.
There are no set tools or definite standards to measure happiness. Often, it is
only in hindsight that people realize when they were truly content. Many successful
individuals have reflected that their most fulfilling moments came not during
times of ease, but in the midst of struggle and striving. Though some, like
poet Robert Browning, argued that old age offers the greatest peace, many find
purpose and satisfaction in the act of overcoming obstacles.
Marriage is frequently
associated with greater emotional stability, and married individuals are often
viewed as happier than their unmarried counterparts. However, even within
marriage, challenges such as childlessness can cause emotional strain. Ultimately,
those who seem most at peace are often not chasing after excitement or
thrills—they live with a quiet contentment that comes naturally, although not
everyone is willing or able to pursue such a simple path.
There are paradoxes in
the nature of happiness. For instance, someone living in a mental institution
might appear completely content, but very few would willingly trade places with
them. The lives of great thinkers and leaders throughout history reveal periods
of despair and emotional struggle—proof that happiness is not the absence of
hardship, but perhaps the ability to endure it with grace.
Throughout history, both religion and philosophy have highlighted the dangers of chronic worry and emotional unrest. Teachings like those in the "Sermon on the Mount" or the writings of philosophers like Spinoza consider anxiety and despair as moral or spiritual shortcomings. In medieval times, monks viewed apathy, sorrow, and irritability as threats to a purposeful life.
Religious devotion,
particularly among mystics and missionaries, has long provided a unique kind of
joy—one that endures despite persecution and suffering. On a more everyday
level, people who stay actively engaged in meaningful work, especially when it aligns
with their interests, tend to lead happier lives than those who are idle.
Beyond happiness, people also yearn for recognition and wisdom. Yet it's hard to label any particular era in history as happier than another. What sets the modern world apart, however, is a deeper concern with global and societal issues. Unlike earlier generations who often took life’s upheavals in stride, many today struggle under the weight of constant awareness and overanalysis. In doing so, they may be losing the philosophical calm that once helped people weather life’s storms.
In Conclusion
To regain the life and
courage we need, we must reembrace the guiding virtues of past
generations—sacrifice, truth, love, and inner stillness. Only by restoring
these principles can we hope to find lasting happiness and the strength to live
with meaning in a world that often feels uncertain.
The Art of Letting Go: Finding Freedom in Detachment
Kahlil Gibran once wrote, “The bitterest thing in today’s sorrow is the memory of yesterday’s joy.” And yet, while many of us recognize the weight of such memories, releasing them remains one of life’s greatest challenges. Letting go isn’t simply about removing something from our lives—it’s about releasing the emotional grip it holds on us. Ironically, it’s not material possessions that bind us the most, but the intangible—our memories, emotions, and sentimental attachments.
We often confuse
detachment with discarding. True letting go is not the act of throwing things
away, but the ability to live without being ruled by them. When objects begin
to represent our identity or our past too strongly, they become emotional
anchors. Whether it’s a wardrobe full of unworn clothes, outdated electronics
collecting dust, cracked cups kept for nostalgia, or unread books stacked in
corners—these possessions become symbols of times that no longer exist. They
clutter our surroundings and, more importantly, our minds.
It isn’t the act of
owning that hurts—it’s the emotional dependence on those possessions and
memories. Physical items may fade or break, but the emotional ties remain. When
we live clinging to the past, we hinder our ability to embrace the present and
the future.
As the Buddha taught,
“The root of all suffering is attachment.” This includes not just material
possessions, but also emotional attachments—our desires, our regrets, and our
fears. According to Buddhist philosophy, inner peace comes when we release our grip
on what we cannot control. In a constantly changing universe, holding on too
tightly puts us at odds with the flow of life.
Possession of things or memories can entrap us. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us that attachment clouds judgment. When a person rises above likes and dislikes, they gain clarity and wisdom. The concept of Vairagya—detachment—frees the mind from bondage and leads the soul toward spiritual liberation.
In Christianity,
renunciation is a path to spiritual richness. When Jesus told the wealthy ruler
to sell everything and give to the poor, it was a call to detach from worldly
ties and follow a higher calling. Jainism promotes aparigraha—freedom from possession—as
a way to escape sorrow. Similarly, in Islam, detachment means that nothing
should control or possess you.
The Maitri Upanishad
declares that liberation lies in mastering the mind. To walk the spiritual
path, one must transcend desire, ego, and emotion. Detachment doesn’t mean
apathy or indifference—it means rising above emotional dependence. Love without
obsession, act without expectation, and live without being owned by anything.
The Isha Upanishad
beautifully says, “All that moves in this world is enveloped by the Divine.
Therefore, enjoy through renunciation; do not covet what belongs to others.”
Craving what isn’t ours only leads to conflict, jealousy, and inner unrest.
Perhaps the greatest example of detached service is the Sun. Without expectation or bias, it shines on all—sustaining life, expecting nothing in return. It is a perfect symbol of selfless giving and non-attachment.
Conclusion
True freedom lies in
the ability to let go—not in indifference, but in inner strength. When we
release our grip on the past, on material excess, and on emotional
dependencies, we make space for clarity, joy, and peace. Letting go is not
about loss—it’s about liberation.
IF HE EXIST
I drive joy there was a doctor in Benaras who
spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this,
his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was
wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into
believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am
wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your
entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should
you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-
ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7thheaven moment of the week IN Ipl Pbks beat mi by 7 wk
