What is the Key to Lasting Happiness?

There’s a saying that goes, “The river of life runs between the banks of pleasure and pain, and one bumps into both.”

That’s not the problem. The problem occurs when we cling to the banks, either the positive one or the negative one.

Where do you find the key to lasting happiness?

The key to lasting happiness is to identify with the unchanging essence of your inner self, your source. Then you no longer look for happiness because you know that you already have it.
More important than a positive mind is a silent mind. A silent mind is a non-judgmental, non-analytical, non-interpretive mind.
When you can accept all the contradictions that life offers, when you can comfortably flow between the banks of pleasure and pain, experiencing both while getting stuck in neither, you have achieved freedom.

Adapted from Power, Freedom, and Grace by Deepak Chopra (Amber-Allen Publishing, 2006). Copywright (c) 2006 by Deepak Chopra. Reprinted by permission of the author.
Adapted from Power, Freedom, and Grace by Deepak Chopra (Amber-Allen Publishing, 2006).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Caleb S.

6:47AM PST on Dec 2, 2011

I appreciate the simple approach. I have seen how millions have achieved happiness by living according to the Sermon on the Mount. "Happy are the peaceable" for instance. Also: "Happy are the mild-tempered ones, for they will inherit the earth".
I was very surprised by this article's recommendation of having a "silent mind". Taking away good judgement and analysis would quickly destroy humanity and morality. Though we shouldn't control others, we MUST analyze their actions and decide what course we consider to be wise. It is both possible and necessary to be peaceable while making inner judgements...

send a green star

Gary C.

9:38AM PST on Dec 1, 2011

Thankyou

9:23AM PST on Dec 1, 2011

Carole R.

11:19PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

Happiness is hard to search for but it seems to come quietly once we stop searching and start enjoying the blessings we have.

Emil P.

9:11PM PDT on May 17, 2011

Good information.You will be happy when you associate good friend,believe in whatever religion you follow and live accordingly.I believe in Jesus Christ he is my Savior and when i am in trouble I pray to him he provide me comfort.Help unfortunates and be happy

Gordana R.

2:13AM PDT on May 17, 2011

always believe in yourself...

Jon H.

10:43AM PDT on May 16, 2011

You don't have to have money in order to be happy. Happiness in within yourself. Allow it to shine outwards so others can see the beauty within you.

10:42AM PDT on May 16, 2011

Key to lasting happiness is being allowed to be yourself. A smile will always come back to you when you smile at others and always show caring , love and friendship towards a others and mainly to yourself.

Teresa W.

2:46PM PST on Nov 19, 2010

Everyone has their own key. For me, it's success; for someone else, it may be eating loads of chocolate...

David M.

2:20PM PST on Nov 19, 2010

Thanks. Happiness is internal, but as Eckhart Tolle says (paraphrasing here) once you realise that you are pure consciousness temporarily inhabiting a physical form, the need for happiness gives way to a deep and lasting peace. Next to that peace, happiness is a very ephemeral thing.