Every year in my philosophy classes (high school seniors) when I teach Plato’s The Republic students grapple with Socrates’ notion of happiness. Before we reach that part of the text we do an exercise. As class begins and without any time to think about their response, I ask students to write down a 1 or 2 sentence definition of happiness. We each write our response on the board and consider the connections (or not) we can find. Here is a sample list in no particular order.
Happiness is the continual pursuit of life.
Happiness is the advancement of wholeness.
Happiness the fount of satisfaction.
Happiness is the freedom from reactivity.
Photo: © Janet Levine, Varanasi, 2007
Happiness is the balance of struggle and reward.
Happiness is nothing more and nothing less.
Happiness is love for self, others, and whatever circumstance arises.
Happiness is the uncontrollable feeling of contentment.
Happiness is doing what you want.
Happiness is having no regrets.
Happiness is the sensation felt in the body when a person acts according to what they believe is good.
Happiness is the state of personal, communal, and spiritual fulfillment.
Scanning the list one sees there are many sentiments both Socrates and the Buddha would commend. Did Socrates know of the Buddha’s teachings? There is no doubt about that in my mind. But that is a topic for another occasion. What does the Buddha say about happiness? Here is the Metta Sutra (teaching) of the Buddha.
“May all beings be happy and at their ease. May they be joyous and live in safety. All beings, omitting none, whether weak or strong; small or great; in high, middle or low realms of existence; near or far away; visible or invisible; born or to-be born. May all beings be happy and at their ease. Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state. Let none wish harm to another. But even as a mother loves , watches over, and protects her child, her only child; so may all with a boundless mind cherish all living beings, radiating friendliness over the entire world without limit. May we cultivate a boundless goodwill, free from ill-will or enmity, and maintain the sublime abiding of this recollection.”
What is your definition of happiness? Use the comment form below. I am most interested to learn.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog so here i am!.I am trying to find things to improve my website!Is it ok if i use some of the things i saw here?!
It never ceases to astonish me personally that, using a bit of additional browsing on the web, you can stumble on probably the most unique blogs.
Googd to read it – now I am clever guy.
I have to admit that i sometimes get bored to read the whole thing but i think you can add some value. Bravo !
Hey great weblog, just wondering what spam software you use for responses because of the reality i get lots on my net site. Can you please let me know here, in order that not only I but other followers can put it on our weblogs too.
Hi….thanks for this good information.I’m so happy because it’s very useful for my thesis research.I hope you will keep updating your content constantly as you have one dedicated reader here 🙂
I love this post very much. I will definitely be back again. Hope that I will be able to go through a lot more informative posts then. Is going to be sharing your wisdom with all of my associates!
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy
I admire the energy you place into your site along with in depth information you present. It’s good to come upon a blog every once in a while that isn’t the exact uninvited rehashed ideas. Breathtaking read! I’ve bookmarked your site along with I’m adding your RSS. I merely of late looked at this blog say a couple of days ago since a roomate recommended it to me. I’ve been a on a daily basis customer since then. Credit and keep it coming!
You made some first rate points there. I appeared on the web for the problem and located most people will go along with along with your website.
You completed certain good points there. I did searching on the subject matter and found most persons will go together with your blog
There’s a tremendous amount of high-quality information throughout this post. I will be signing up to your rss feed.
What a lovely blog. I’ll undoubtedly be back again. Please keep writing!
I admire the valuable particulars you provide within your content articles. I’ll bookmark your blogging site and have my kids check up here regularly. I am very confident they’ll find out a good amount of new stuff the following than anybody else!
How do you make a blog site look this sick. Email me if you get the chance and share your wisdom. !
You got a really useful blog. I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and your success is very much an inspiration for me.
Very efficiently written article. It will be useful to anyone who employess it, as well as me. Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.
Thanks for another informative site. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
I hope you in no way stop! This is among the best weblogs I have ever read through. You’ve got mad skill here, man. I simply wish that you do not lose your style mainly because youre absolutely on the list of hottest bloggers in existence. Make sure you continue simply because the web requires you getting the news out.
Howdy! You some kind of skilled? Great message. Can you tell me methods to subscribe your blog?
Thank you so much, I spent too much time trying to get this to work. Thank you again!
Can I post your submit to my weblog? I will add a one way link to your forum. That’s one really candy post.
I just learned about your internet site last week and I have been reading through it on a regular basis. You have a lots of helpful info on your blog and i also enjoy the particular style of the website also. Keep up the good work!
Good Article, I locate comming to your blog normally and genuinely must congragulate your guys for writing this kind of captivating blogs. Spekaing of which i have a blog myself and I hope you’ll be able to have a look and let me know what you feel it is possible to study weblog
I do know this isn’t precisely on subject, however i’ve a site utilizing the same program as well and i get troubles with my comments displaying. is there a setting i am lacking? it’s possible it’s possible you’ll help me out? thanx.
excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Yes you can post it with the proper acknowledgment.
Considerably, this post is really the sweetest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your incoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable work and much success in your business dealings! Please excuse my poor English as it is not my first tongue.
This excellent post assited me a lot! Saved the website, very interesting categories just about everywhere that I see here! I like the information, thanks.
Your article is very informative and coherent. I’m happy that I stumbled upon your page and hope to find more articles of such caliber on this site in the future.
Can I put up your post to my wordpress blog? I’ll add a inbound link to your forum. That’s one actually great post.
Wow! What a blog! I actually like how it is user-friendly on my eyes and as well the information are well scripted. I am curious how I might be notified whenever a brand-new mail has been successful. I have signed to your rss feed which must perform the trick! TX again!
Hey Yeah, I adore that site as well! It inspired me to open my own. Hopefully will make people to visit my site.
That is the best weblog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You understand a lot its almost arduous to argue with you (not that I truly would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I’m impressed, I have to say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you could have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is excellent; the issue is something that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I’m very completely satisfied that I stumbled throughout this in my search for something regarding this.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Later!
I’d must verify with you here. Which isn’t one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a publish that can make individuals think. Also, thanks for permitting me to remark!
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
Absolutely agree with what you reported. Your explanation was by far the easiest to comprehend. I tell you, I usually get annoyed when folks discuss issues that they clearly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail right on the head and rolled out everything without complication. Hopefully, other people can take a cue. Will be back for additional. Keep writing
Thanks for another informative site. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
Great write up, bookmarked the site in hopes to read more!
Good post. I study one thing more difficult on totally different blogs everyday. It’s going to always be stimulating to read content from different writers and apply a little something from their store. I’d favor to use some with the content material on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a hyperlink in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Nice and very interesting post. Your point of view is more or less the same as main. Thanks!
Many thanks for posting this, It?s just what I used to be researching for on bing. I?d lots relatively hear opinions from an individual, slightly than an organization web page, that?s why I like blogs so significantly. Many thanks!
I am really impressed. Today I spent a lot of my spare time looking for something interesting on this topic. Finally I found your site. Thanks for that!
The informative summary helped me a lot! Saved the website, very interesting topics just about everywhere that I read here! I appreciate the information, thanks.