Discover Happiness From Within

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text from "Discover Happiness from Within" by A. L. Gandhi:

The text begins by observing that happiness is a universal human desire, transcending age, wealth, and social status. However, it argues that the common pursuit of happiness through the satisfaction of worldly wants and the acquisition of wealth is inherently flawed. The author posits that desires are insatiable; as soon as one is fulfilled, another arises, leading to a perpetual cycle of striving and dissatisfaction. This constant pursuit often results in mental unrest, a lack of inner peace, and a disconnection from higher values. Furthermore, significant human energy is frequently wasted on trivial disputes, hindering personal discipline and the attainment of inner light and blessedness.

The author points out that even temporary good fortune is fickle and short-lived, reinforcing the idea that external sources are unreliable for lasting happiness. This leads to an exploration of human psychology and culture, highlighting the innate human tendency to seek pleasure and avoid pain. The central question posed is the true nature of happiness: what it is, its components, its means, and whether it can be permanent.

The text critiques the common perception that material objects and sensual pleasures are the keys to happiness. It observes that society and the state often emphasize production, consumption, and distribution of material goods as a means to alleviate want and, by extension, to ensure happiness. However, the author questions whether providing basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter (Roti, Kapda, Makaan) would truly lead to happiness, citing the example of Western countries, which are prosperous but often plagued by disturbance, fear, and tension.

The author then delves into the psychological aspect of happiness, suggesting that it might reside not in external objects but within our own imagination. Happiness derived from comparing oneself to others (e.g., feeling happy when seeing someone in a lesser house, then unhappy when seeing someone in a better one) is temporary and fuels a competitive, often unsustainable, race for material gain, frequently achieved through unethical means.

The text argues that happiness derived from fulfilling desires is fleeting and superficial. As soon as new desires emerge and are not met, unhappiness returns. This continuous cycle of desire fulfillment and non-fulfillment leads to a life of tension, disturbance, and even physical and mental ailments. Therefore, the author concludes that happiness is often a "mirage" in the pursuit of material gratification.

The core argument is that true happiness lies in the absence of desires, or more precisely, in their cessation rather than their fulfillment. The text suggests that as desires decrease, tension also decreases, implying that a complete absence of desires would lead to perfect happiness. The pleasure derived from sensual objects is temporary and ultimately a form of misery, as is the tension experienced when desires are unfulfilled.

In conclusion, the text asserts that real happiness originates from within, from the inner soul and self-satisfaction. Contentment is presented as the true path to happiness because it signifies the end of desires. Individuals who are soul-inclined and seek internal contentment will find genuine pleasure and happiness, while those fixated on external objects can never achieve true happiness.