Happiness

“Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.” - Chaung Tzu

I would suggest that everyone of us directly experiences the same Happiness but may create different definitions for the intimate, indescribable sense of our imperturbable Self. Which is precisely why this Taoist sage uses his spiritual description via “viva negativa” - as in the best understanding arises from what Happiness is not!

I tend to express the Happiness attribute of our true nature as the absence of lack and unease. In other words, no striving, simply resting in/as joyful peace. Or the ever-present, inherent sense of feeling I am or Being Aware. Nothing more. However, the mind desires to add its colorful two cents and generates all forms of external objective experiences - relationships, accolades, acquisitions, substances - that seemingly elicit happiness (read: pleasure). Recognize in Reality that when a desired object is attained, the striving energy instantly dissolved (absent), and our true Happiness sparkled through --- temporarily.