*What Is And What Is Not ‘Real’ Happiness?

Real happiness is not an external stimulation by watching an action movie or
eating out or buying a new dress; it is not the result of acquiring
something – whether it be a new car or a position, or of receiving some good
news.  True happiness is not relief from suffering – whether from an illness
or a difficult situation, nor is it the achievement of a goal – whether
personal or professional.  All these are externally dependent, where
happiness is confused with *stimulation, excitement, achievement,
acquisition *or *relief*.   *Happiness is not all of these. *You also know
that happiness is not a future promise.  It can only be experienced now.
So what is spiritual happiness - perhaps a better way to describe *spiritual
happiness is contentment*.   This comes from a complete *awareness* and *
acceptance* *of the self* as we are now at an internal level, and an
acceptance of 'what is' at an external level. Sounds difficult? The highest
happiness is bliss which can be experienced only when the soul/self is
totally free of all attachment and dependency.  Sounds even more difficult?
But this is *a spiritual understanding and definition of 'happiness',* which
is not difficult to accept and make a part of our life, once there is a deep
*understanding* and *absorption* of spiritual knowledge, but spiritual
knowledge which is accurate and complete in all aspects. Spiritual happiness
is a direct result of spiritual knowledge. Without complete knowledge of the
self, one cannot remain ‘ever and truly happy’ (happy as per the definition
above).