We often wonder whether it is possible to achieve lasting happiness. All around us we see people trying to find answers to this question. Many try to find happiness through material objects: by acquiring a better house, a newer car, a faster computer.
Relationships that are for the gratification of physical desires or losing weight in order to become physically more attractive are viewed as the keys to happiness. The happiness resulting from these activities is temporary.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: There are two kinds of “happiness”; physical and spiritual. The physical happiness is limited; its utmost duration is one day, one month, one year.…
“Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one’s soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity.”
Joy is an inner sense that can carry us through the hard times. We all go through times of joy and sorrow. There is no one who is untouched by these two influences.
But when we look for the reasons for our sadness, we see that the sorrow and the grief come from the world of matter. But the spiritual world imparts only joy. True and lasting joy is, therefore, closely related to spirituality.
Of course, this is not to say that material needs are not important. Since the body is the instrument of the soul’s development in this earthly life, physical health and development cannot be neglected. Happiness and fulfilment can be attained when the material and spiritual aspects of our lives advance together.
Our spiritual side, referred to as the soul, seeks to know and love, it is touched by awe and splendour and holds to that which is eternal and good. It is our spiritual side that exhibits attributes such as truthfulness, courtesy, generosity, compassion, justice and love, which are essential for individual and social transformation and lead to lasting happiness.
Lasting joy can be attained by means of praying and supplicating to God and by acting in accordance with God’s teachings.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “When one supplicates to his Lord, turns to Him and seeks bounty from His Ocean, this supplication brings light to his heart, illumination to his sight, life to his soul and exaltation to his being” and “prayer and meditation are very important factors in deepening the spiritual life of the individual, but with them must go also action and example, as these are the tangible results of the former”.
Service to others is another source of spiritual joy, as the Bahá’í Writings state: “… is there any deed in the world that would be nobler than service to the common good?”
“… what pleasure can compare [to] the pleasure of bringing joy and hope to other hearts. The more we make others happy, the greater will be our own happiness and the deeper our sense of having served humanity”.
For more information please contact Bahá’í on tshwane@bahai.org.za or 083 794 0819
Website: www.bahai.org
