WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

Questioner: What is happiness?

Maharaj: Harmony between the inner and the outer is happiness. On the other hand, self-identification with the outer causes is suffering.

Q: How does self-identification happen?

M: The self by its true nature knows itself only. For lack of experience whatever it perceives it takes to be itself. Battered, it learns to look out (viveka) and to live alone (vairagya). When right behavior (uparati), becomes normal, a powerful inner urge (mukmukshutva) makes it seek its source. The candle of the body is lighted [Estudio comparativo con la mención de “la lámpara del cuerpo” en los Evangelios, por ejemplo.] and all becomes clear and bright (atmaprakash).

Q: What is the cause of all suffering?

M: Self-identification with the limited (vyaktitva). Sensations as such, however strong, do not cause suffering. It is the mind bewildered by wrong ideas, addicted to thinking: “I am this”. “I am that”, that fears loss and craves gain and suffers when frustrated.

Q: A friend of mine used to have horrible dreams night after night. Going to sleep would terrorise him. Nothing could help him.

M: Company of the truly good (satsang) would help him.

Q: Life itself is a nightmare.

M: Noble friendship (satsang) is the supreme remedy of all ills, physical and mental.
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