ACHIEVE HAPPINESS BY COMMITTING TO THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

An assumption can be drawn that we all seek or want happiness. But how do people around the world define it? What we try to do is to alter external circumstances (money, etc.) hoping that it will change the way we feel, without any deeper consciousness — which is what produces within us the feeling of happiness or unhappiness.

Happiness is a human experience according to the Vedas. Whenever we experience the state of happiness, we don’t hold an opinion about our self, there is absence of self-resistance. This means that in order to experience happiness, we have to drop our selfjudgment. Once we do that, we will experience the moment as a happy moment which is free from time and space.

While education plays an important role in enhancing the professional life of individuals, the knowledge to assess oneself and our ability to understand our surroundings helps us rationalise situations and get through bad periods, making us resilient.

Resilience is the ‘rubber ball’ factor — the ability to bounce back in the event of adversity; the ability to cope with the inevitable challenges and setbacks of life, and come back stronger.

As APJ Abdul Kalam one said, “Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place – that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life.”