The following is an excerpt from a satsang by the Gnani Purush, Dada Bhagwan.

In what do humans find happiness? They find happiness in success, whether it is big or small, but can it be considered happiness if a person is successful at something but cannot sleep at night or has no time to eat or drink? What happens when you overeat your favorite food? You feel uncomfortable and miserable. How can any happiness that increases or decreases or causes misery, really be defined as happiness?

What must one look for amidst misery? One must look for eternal happiness. People have experienced worldly happiness from which they derive some satisfaction but there is no contentment in it. Life has to be lived with the aim of finding an escape from all suffering. People are in pursuit of happiness, but they have not correctly defined true happiness. Happiness should be such that it is never followed by any unhappiness or misery. Eternal happiness exists in the Soul, which is one’s real Self. Man himself is an abode of eternal bliss and yet he goes around seeking happiness in temporary things.

Worldly happiness is analogous to that of a very tall man spending a bitter cold night on a balcony with only a short blanket to keep him warm. When he tries to cover his head, his feet get cold and when he tries to cover his feet, his head gets cold. Such is the happiness of the world. Worldly misery is the figment of one’s imagination; it does not exist in reality. For example, if a person imagines that he will derive enjoyment from eating jalebi (dessert), he will and if he imagines it will make him miserable, then he will experience misery. Therefore things are not exactly as they appear to be. Whatever one calls happiness should be accepted as such by everyone equally; that definition should be universal. But here in the world, where one person sees happiness, others see misery.

There are two ways to live peacefully in this world. First you need honesty. If one cannot have complete honesty then one must at least have partial honesty in all worldly interactions. Secondly, one should practice non-violence. No living being should be harmed even in the slightest degree. Even in situations where someone insults you, if you retaliate, you will perpetuate a relationship of animosity with him, which will continue in your next life. So if you do not want to prolong such a relationship, then bring it to an end. If you want happiness in life, then you should constantly give happiness to others in whatever way you can through your mind, speech, and conduct. By making others happy, you bind punyas (merit karmas) and in return you will receive only happiness. By hurting people, even slightly, you bind paap (demerit karmas) and as a consequence, you too will become miserable. When you hurt someone, not only will you obstruct his liberation, but you obstruct your liberation too. You can never expect to be happy by hurting others. Your only concern in life should be to give happiness to others.

Daan (alms or donations) means to give happiness to other living beings, whether it be humans or animals. The ‘reaction’ of giving happiness to others, is your own personal happiness. When you give happiness to others, happiness will immediately come to you without any effort! So all you have to do is continue giving happiness to others. You can give food, clothing or little money to those in need. Giving a little solace to others will bring you peace of mind; that is what all worldly interactions are about. You should not give importance to the external conduct of an individual, because God resides within that individual and everyone else. That is why we should do all we can to help people. And in helping them, we too will benefit.

If someone gives you misery, you can do the same to him if you are prepared to suffer in misery yourself. You should assess your internal strength and decide whether you have the capacity to endure more suffering. Some people have the attitude of ‘an eye for an eye’, and for such people it is not a problem because they do not suffer any misery.

God’s law is to give to other what you would want yourself. When a farmer sows a ton of seeds, he reaps thirty times the crop. Similarly the reward of giving happiness to others will be considerably more. If someone gives you misery, it is because of your own karmic account. So when that happens, credit your account and do not react in the same manner towards him, otherwise a new karmic account will be started.

All religions are worldly in nature. They help you with your worldly dealings and even they too tell you not to give misery to anyone.

Real religion is the nature of the Self. It is the religion of Soul. It is your own inherent nature, in which there is eternal bliss. Happiness lies within your true Self. Happiness is itself, the Soul, so when one acquires the Soul, he acquires happiness.  In order to acquire the Soul, you have to find out who you really are. Eternal happiness is acquired when one finds the answer to “Who Am I” from a Gnani Purush (Omniscient) and then abides by the Gnani’s instructions. Thereafter, one will experience permanent happiness.

In conclusion, the only two things worth knowing in this world are: first you should give happiness to others if you want happiness. And secondly, if you want liberation, then you need to find the answer to ‘Who Am I?’ The purpose of all scriptures is to know these two things.