In Pursuit of Happiness


As we march on in this world, the pursuit of happiness has always been at the heart of everything we do. We chase the ice cream man through the streets, after having begged for some money to enjoy the ice lolly. Pure Joy! Or the elation as the birthday draws closer, new clothes, gifts and much more. Did I forget, cake? Ahh… Heaven!

Our pursuit of happiness has been tied to basically everything under the sun, except the one thing that matters most. Discontent, fear and loneliness continue to bare their fangs inspite of everything around us being calm and bright.  

What then stops us from achieving the eternal bliss that eludes us every time we reach it? Is it the deep rooted fear of losing it? Is it plain selfishness and desire? Or is it what the priests, swamis, and gurus say, the unsatiated thirst for more? Is there all that is to it?

I am enamoured by the story of the musk deer. I am sure that it is an oft heard story and one which has more to offer than all wisdom combined. It is said that the musk deer chases the enchanting scent all its life, it looks among trees, bushes and everywhere it can think of. Only when it nears its death, does it realise, that all that scent, that enchanting, maddening perfume, was in it the whole time! Yes. Musk is found in the navel of the musk deer in the highest Himalayan Hills of India.

Why do I call this story a gem of wisdom? Well, we have looked for the scent of happiness all around us, all about us, with all things, in all things. Yet, it has eluded us. Why? Because we could not find the one thing that mattered most to make us happy, Me!

Sounds selfish? Of course it does. It sounds like a narcissist talking about himself and loving himself. This classification should not hamper us from reaching out to the deeper recesses of our souls to find meaning to the larger questions of life, What makes me happy?

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