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Why are happy states of mind happy?

personperson Don't believe everything you thinkThe liminal space Veteran
edited April 2011 in Philosophy
From my own experience and from what all the teachers say the mental states of self-centeredness, craving, hatred in and of themselves are miserable states of mind and the mental states of cherishing others, love, and compassion are happy. My question is, why is this so? Aside from the outcomes of these like people like you more and treat you better, etc. Are there reasons for this or do we just have to say thats just the way it is? Maybe this is a pointless question for our individual practice but if there's a good arguement for why this is so it would be useful to help point this fact out to others.

Comments

  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    because there is only you. everything is a reflection of you.

    you already know this.
  • TalismanTalisman Veteran
    Happy is a general term that can mean pleasurable, satisfying, comfortable, at-ease, etc. Being kind and compassionate and loving can provide these types of feelings. True lasting happiness, that which is sought after by those following the Buddhist path, however, is beyond conditionality.
  • SabreSabre Veteran
    edited April 2011
    Because craving, hatred, lying, etc is in a sense always defending yourself. It's fighting all the time against the world -both inner and outer-. Let go of these emotions and there is no more fighting, or at least a lot less fighting, that's why what remains is happiness and loving kindness.

    You can compare this to hiking with a bagpack of 20kg or dropping unneeded things and walk with 10kg instead. It is a lot easier and your hike will be a lot happier.

    Hike lightly in life, that's what Buddhism teaches.

    This has been researched and shown to be true, people who share a lot, give a lot away, seem to be the happiest people.

    With metta,
    Sabre

  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Its whats leftover. Emptiness is a void but it is an alive void. All of the heart qualities manifest when there is less grasping. Sensitivity is the residue once greed is destroyed. And that sensitivity is response. It feels right and good without the grasping. [I have read in Rigdzin Shikpos Clarity Openness and Sensitivity]
  • ArjquadArjquad Veteran
    Because if it's happy it can't be sad. Simple logic!
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