Discussion inner happines, does it exist?

[tooStupidForExitBag]

Arthur Schopenhauer has said: "If life — the craving for which is the very essence of our being — were possessed of any positive intrinsic value, there would be no such thing as boredom at all: mere existence would satisfy us in itself, and we should want for nothing."

I tend to agree. I however often here people say things such as "you have to create your own intrinsic value", and I wonder if this is actually possible? I have never felt happy while being alone with my thoughts. The only times I feel happy are when I'm doing activities which I consider fun, and to me this can be likened to taking drugs. I'm using an external stimulus to escape myself and feel momentarily happy. Do you guys think one can achieve happiness that comes from within, or is the only way to feel happy in this life to constantly escape from your own thoughts?

 

[Una]

Arthur Schopenhauer has said: "If life — the craving for which is the very essence of our being — were possessed of any positive intrinsic value, there would be no such thing as boredom at all: mere existence would satisfy us in itself, and we should want for nothing."

I tend to agree. I however often here people say things such as "you have to create your own intrinsic value", and I wonder if this is actually possible? I have never felt happy while being alone with my thoughts. The only times I feel happy are when I'm doing activities which I consider fun, and to me this can be likened to taking drugs. I'm using an external stimulus to escape myself and feel momentarily happy. Do you guys think one can achieve happiness that comes from within, or is the only way to feel happy in this life to constantly escape from your own thoughts?

Hi,
I am relatively new here and do not post/write much or often, however I found you questions interesting. I often found myself pondering the same issues. My conclusion , and please note that it is nothing more but a one person's (in this instance mine) opinion, is that a value cannot be in the same time 'intrinsic' - meaning 'belonging naturally' AND 'created'. If it is intrinsic it is not created and vice verse. Please also note here that English is not my first language albeit I have been using it on a daily basis for a long time but have never formally studied it. Happiness is no more intrinsic to human condition that desire is. Breathing however is intrinsic to human condition. You do not have to create it. It belongs to you naturally. Hence you live and create the thread pondering your existence which, by and of itself, is also not intrinsic. That said once you do breath and therefore become able to make a choice as to whether or not continue to maintain that exitance, questions of purpose, meaning and happiness start to emerge. Each of those questions deserve far more and far more details scrutiny, but for the purpose of this post, I would add that all of them have something in common - they require pursuit and pursuit requires creativity, determination, and above all will to open to and engage with other humans ... ultimately uncertain, sometimes hugely rewarding, sometimes hugely hurtful path ... but nevertheless still the only path on which to truly test the strength of the very human resolve to find connection, happiness and therefore ultimate purpose and reason for living.

Hope if this is too long or not exactly what you were looking for.

 

[Jean4]

I don't know what happiness is. Contentment, but not happiness.

 

[Apathy79]

I think it was Einstein that said something to the effect of if you can't be happy doing nothing alone in an empty room, you can't be happy at all, in a similar vein.

It's the basis of non-attachment, removing all desires, as taught by most world religions and many philosophers. They're describing a level of true happiness similar to bliss which is virtually non-existent in the world, not what Joe Public calls happiness today.

Very few people these days have spent any decent length of time alone in an empty room because they have so many other options and are secretly petrified of the prospect. I think there's merit in attempting it, even if only for an hour or so. What have you got to lose?

With everything desired removed in that environment, all that is left is the desire to think. That's the final barrier.

 

[Forever Wandering]

People to take psychedelics often find themselves more as introverted accepting who they are with their own thoughts.

 

[Death.]

It's difficult to find inner happiness without a roof over your head or food in your stomach.

 

[Una]

It's difficult to find inner happiness without a roof over your head or food in your stomach.

I agree, wholeheartedly. A roof over one's head and a food in one's stomach are primary, basic needs and as such they demand to be met first before any pursuit of happiness can be contemplated. In other words - when without either or both of those basic items, acquiring them constitute happiness on its own. More of our basic needs are met, more we are able/inclined to contemplate and pursue, those more loftier, abstract goals.

 

[BabyYoda]

For me it doesn't. Heck, I don't even understand exactly what the fuck it means. I do not exist to be a standalone in this world. External things like anime, games, friends make me happy. Since happiness is determined by the positive chemicals in the brain I need an external source for my brain to pump in those chemicals. I cannot say, "Brain, be happy. Now. Do it." because it's as effective as telling my heart to stop beating. Otherwise, what am I supposed to do? Escape to the mountains and meditate nonstop? That would have been easier in ancient times but not today where there is so much to do.