The Definition of True Happiness

October 23, 2015
TimeWatch Editorial

Three days ago, about 7:40am, I walked in upon an intriguing discussion. The topic: “True happiness.” The varied points of view were fascinating and as far as I could see, there were indeed no wrong answers. Which led me to ask myself, is there an absolute definition? I started looking around for some parallel descriptions that could be united into one solid explanation.

First, I took a look at Aristotle’s opinion. “Happiness depends on ourselves” he says, More than anybody else, Aristotle enshrines happiness as a central purpose of human life and a goal in itself. As a result he devotes more space to the topic of happiness than any thinker prior to the modern era. As famous as this thinker is, the definition seemed a little selfish to me.

Benjamin Franklyn’s definition is this: The secret of true happiness has been sought in cultivating optimism, in celebrating everyday moments, in finding one’s creative purpose, and in embracing uncertainty, but it remains forever elusive and forever alluring.’ He continues: ‘The desire of happiness in general is so natural to us that all the world are in pursuit of it; all have this one end in view, though they take such different methods to attain it, and are so much divided in their notions of it.’

The Gnostic, Samael Aun Weor says: “The word happiness is like 'Greek' to people, as we say around here. However, worst of all is that they know this. But amid so much bitterness, it seems they do not lose the hope of achieving happiness one day without knowing how or in what way.”

Galatians chapter 5 however, makes some rather interesting connections. First, Paul describes the ‘works of the flesh’ which, obviously lead to sorrow, even if joy is the temporary experience while engaged in these activities. Here’s the list: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.

Paul doesn’t stop there; he actually says that involvement in these things would result in eternal loss. Since each item on the above list cannot provide real or lasting joy, and will ultimately result in eternal loss, the idea of happiness surely cannot be associated with any of these activities.

In comparison, he continues to describe the “Fruit of the Spirit.” The use of the word fruit suggests the planting of seed. The planting of seed suggests care for the plant until it reaches maturity. Then develops the ripened fruit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: notice here the elements of character being described, suggesting that true happiness is for the most part dependent upon the character developed. That character, once developed is rewarded with eternal life. So that, regardless of the intermittent sorrow or pain that might be produced, while the planted seed is being developed, the ultimate happiness overrides any or all pain experienced in the process.

Cameron A. Bowen