"There is no way to happiness; Happiness is the way."

[Yodapsy]

About 10 years ago I was goin through a tough time, when I came upon this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist Monk: "There is no way to happiness; Happiness is the way." I often thought of this when I was not happy and it helped me remember that "doing" happiness is not the way but that "being" happiness usually turns out much better. As I was reading some posts on the forum today, I suddenly had the thought that this saying really applies to my experience on the Camino this past summer. When I was looking for the Camino to provide me with happiness, I was often disappointed. When I tried to bring some happiness to my camino experience and look for the happiness in myself and others, my experience was much better. Today the words "the way" punched me in the gut in a happy way when reading this quote, and so I thought I would share this. I am interested in other interpretations of this quote. Now I will always see that when I am finding true happiness, I am also finding the Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A part of cognitive therapy is to act the way you want to feel even if it is contrived. It works! The next time you are walking head down in a dismal winter funk, stand erect. Smile. Skip down the hallway. Act like it is a spring day in a meadow of flowers.

Salesmen will tell you to smile when you are talking on the phone. The other person cannot see the smile, but it comes through in your voice and sales pitch.

You are what you act, pretty much. Be a grouch and you will be grouchy...

 

[jpflavin1]

Happiness is defined as an emotional state of mind brought on by feelings of contentment/joy. We all have certain things in life that elicit these types of feelings. Then things change, something small or large, and our lives become more difficult because of this loss.

Change is one of those things in life we can count on like death and taxes.

My life changed many years ago when I learned to embrace change. I found ways to be comfortable in uncomfortable/challenging situations. It has allowed me to be a happier person. I have yet to be able to apply that approach to my golf game .

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[suekenney]

Rob, thanks for reminder. I used to use that quote at the end of my Camino talks all the time as it perfectly described my journey and that idea that the Camino is a metaphor for life. To go one more step...I discovered that when I am finding true happiness, I am finding the way back to myself.

Peace on your way,
Sue

 

[lettinggo]

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Dalai Lama

 

[LTfit]

That is also one of my favorite quotes Yodapsy.

For me "happiness" is a state of being rooted in a sense of gratitude. A few months ago I read a quote from Brother David David Steindl-Rast, a Catholic Benedictine monk, that sums this up quite well: "In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy." This may be the reason why the Camino pulls me back time and again - it reinforces my sense of gratitude.
Gratitude=Happiness.

 

[stevenjarvis]

A part of cognitive therapy is to act the way you want to feel even if it is contrived. It works! The next time you are walking head down in a dismal winter funk, stand erect. Smile. Skip down the hallway. Act like it is a spring day in a meadow of flowers.

Salesmen will tell you to smile when you are talking on the phone. The other person cannot see the smile, but it comes through in your voice and sales pitch.

You are what you act, pretty much. Be a grouch and you will be grouchy...

I've got stacks of books on the subject and you've reduced their content to four lines !

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I've got stacks of books on the subject

I read a book once, but did not like it.