I want happiness defined in absolute terms. I want to know what it is exactly in lucid, clear and simple words. If it can be expressed mathematically as in an equation all the better, because then it would be comprehensible to me, and I'd be one step closer in the pursuit of it.
We all are in pursuit of happiness whether we admit or not, we all want to be in that place where we are happy, but how and what and where is that place where one can be or is happy and stays happy. So, we want this thing, but don't know what it is.
Is happiness the absence of pain, of distress, worry, sadness. But, then there are people who are free of all these feelings and yet aren't happy. Is it then freedom from want? That would mean that most rich and affluent people would all be extremely happy all the time, yet that isn't the case either, in fact the more material things a person has the more elusive happiness becomes. Sages say that being content with what you have and a freedom from attachment to worldly wants and things will lead to happiness, but that just defeats the purpose of it all, because it is in this life, amongst our things and wants and needs do we need to be happy the most. If you become an ascetic then any state is acceptable.
Happiness then is inexplicable, and eludes all efforts to description. Then why are we all obsessed with wanting to be happy?
I believe happiness has a different meaning to each person, and just as our heavens are all different so is our concept of happiness. For me happiness is being comfortable at whatever place (state) I am in life, and not wanting to be at another place. For me happiness is spatial, its all about space-time, wherever I am in the Universe, what stage of life, if I don't want to change it then I'm happy. The insistent need, the constant urgency, the waiting, the anxiety, the hopefulness and hopelessness that comes with 'wanting' a change is unhappiness for me.
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