Chapter II
Temporary And Everlasting Happiness
Temporary Happiness
There are many things in the world that can bring us joy—delicious food, art, fashion, beauty, entertainment, luxury carts, etc.
Reaching for things that please the senses is how we often try to create happiness. But what we often overlook is that the happiness gained this way will always be temporary by nature.
For instance, what once excited us can begin to feel ordinary. The clothes that once felt new, the partner who once thrilled us, the games, gadgets, or even places we once loved—all will eventually lose their initial spark.
And guess what happens when these things are no longer there, or when we fail to obtain them?
Unhappiness!
This is the temporary nature of the common type of happiness we often create. If we rely on it as our main source of fulfillment, we can end up in a loop of searching endlessly only to end with disappointment.
Now, this isn’t to say that temporary happiness is bad or that we must avoid it altogether. All experiences in life are valuable. The purpose here is to develop awareness of its limitations—so that we can loosen our attachments and search for something more real and lasting–
True Happiness!
True Happiness
True happiness is the kind of happiness that lasts and grows with time.
To create it, we transform the deeper causes for our happiness—what I call the Suffering States of Mind.
Suffering is basically any state of body and mind that can cause unhappiness, and they can appear in subtle and obvious ways: fear, jealousy, anger, worry, impatience, sickness, insecurity, and so forth.
These negative states are not just occasional intrusions—they often shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in ways we don’t even realize.
In the end, they always lead us to the same place–
limitations, confusion, and suffering.
Imagine, how much freer and happier could you be if you lived with less fear, less anger, with less inner struggles?
Or imagine, how much happiness you would gain if you were to transform all your sufferings?
Obviously, you would be much happier!
What’s more, everything you gain through Self-Transformation–clarity, power, wisdom, happiness—will always stay with you. Because unlike material things, these are not borrowed from the outside; they are achieved from within.
But how do we transform our sufferings?
How do we release ourselves from the Fears that are always holding us back from chasing our dreams?
How do we transform our Impatience that is constantly driving us toward frustration?
How do we transform anger?
Our loneliness?
Our traumas?
The answer?
With Self-Knowing!
