Why are we happy some times and sad the other times?

During the days of his earnest seeking, Swami Akandananda used to go and meet many Saints while touring all over northern India. Once he came to know about a Saint who simply lived under a tree in a remote village. Upon meeting a Saint, usually Swamiji used to initiate a conversation mostly by asking a question.

When he went to see the Saint, he asked, “Dear Sir, why do I vacillate between happiness and sadness most of the times? I am happy sometimes and sad the other times.”

The Saint began to smile and said, “Son, if you sit in a trash bin and wonder why you are surrounded by trash, then it’s your mistake. While sitting in the trash can, one should not complain about the trash. Similarly, you are still sitting in your mind and then it is but natural that the trash of the world in the form of happiness and sadness will continue to pour on you. Rise above your mind. Take a deep dive in the inner realms of peace, equanimity and true happiness. Establish yourself in your true Sat-Chit-Ananda (Eternal-Conscious-Blissful) nature and then you can rise above the worldly happiness and sadness.”

Swamiji also began to laugh at the answer.

The Saint continued compassionately, “Just like it a natural for the water to flow in the downward direction, it is natural for the mind to flow in the outward direction – towards the world and hence it keeps on swinging like a pendulum between happiness and sadness. However, for pulling the water in the upward direction, against it natural flow, you need some efforts, some energy. Similarly in order to elevate the mind, with the help of purified intellect, one has to put in some efforts – efforts in the inner realms, efforts in the spiritual world; be it in the form of listening to the wisdom of the Saints, reading holy scriptures, chanting of the holy name or meditation.”

Swamiji said, “Yes Sir. I got my answer. In order to rise about the worldly happiness and sadness, I try to engage myself in the selfless service, chanting of the holy name, remembrance of the divine personality or simply showing my gratitude to the Almighty for all the blessings in my life. In this manner I drive higher form of inner happiness which lasts longer and give me inner satisfaction.”

“Apart for striving for the inner satisfaction and higher form of happiness, you should also realize that equanimity of mind (remaining equi-pious in all the circumstances) is said to be the highest form of Yoga as per Srimad Bhagwad Geeta.   So, just be the witness to the world and just watch it without any attachments to the result. Always remember that to always remain happy is the highest form of devotion,” said the Saint while smiling.