What Is The Opposite Of Happiness?
Sadness? Hatred? Pain? All of them?
I was recently asked this question and the answer is profound.
The opposite of happiness isn’t one specific emotion.
The opposite of happiness is a sense of lack, like there is something missing.
Imagine a person who isn’t missing anything, not looking for anything, not in need of anything other than what they already have. How do you think they would feel? I find it hard to imagine them feeling anything other than happiness, pure peace and contentment. True happiness is not the result of amassing everything the world offers, or experiencing pleasure every day. It’s found in recognizing that you already possess the essence of happiness within you, that underneath all the materialism in the world is the pure essence of happiness living inside you. Embracing this simple truth brings liberation from the chains of perpetual wanting.
The Deceptive Nature Of Lack
In a world driven by desires and aspirations, it's easy to fall into the trap of always wanting more. The insatiable hunger for what we lack often overshadows our daily life, here and now. The absence of a certain possession, accomplishment, or experience tends to dictate our experience of life. This is the essence of lack - a void that convinces us that true happiness hinges on filling it with something.
The Paradox Of Seeking Happiness
The very act of searching for happiness implies you don’t already have it. When we feel unhappy, it’s usually tied to a longing for something outside ourselves. It's the belief that acquiring that missing piece will transform our lives. Yearning for an intimate relationship, financial stability, or having the perfect body keeps us locked in a cycle of anticipation. We deceive ourselves into thinking, "Once I achieve this, then I'll be happy." But does genuine happiness truly exist solely in the attainment of those external wishes? Or could it be much closer to home?
Wholeness
At the heart of our existence lies a truth often obscured by the external aspects of our lives. It's the unchanging essence of 'you', the core that remains untouched by the changing of circumstances. Throughout every event you have ever been through, every experience, whether happy, sad or traumatic, there is a part of you that remains untouched. It is not physical, you can not see it, or touch it, or remove it. It will always be there.
Put it this way - if I remove one of your fingers, are you any less you? How many fingers, arms, legs or eyes would I have to remove until you stop being you? Completely disembodied, the essence of you still remains. Take any person who has died and left this world - their essence still exists in a realm that is not physical, it does not require flesh and bone. Wholeness is inherent in our existence.
Cultivating An Abundant Mindset
Think of the moments when you've experienced pure happiness - those moments when you were so engrossed in the present that thoughts of what you lack faded away. In that moment, anything that’s not present is not important. Understand that true happiness isn't a distant destination, it's a state of being where you are able to perceive and experience the fullness of your existence. To consistently sustain happiness in your life, start by acknowledging the abundance already present in your life. Focus your attention on the present moment, the things you are grateful for and absorb yourself in things you love doing. Cultivate a sense of appreciation for the simple pleasures, the supportive relationships, and the daily triumphs. This mindset shift redirects your focus from lack to fulfilment. When you fill your consciousness with appreciation for what you have, the void of wanting naturally lessens.
Transcending External Desires
While goals and aspirations are essential for growth, it's crucial to detach your happiness from the outcome. Strive for your ambitions with passion, but understand that your happiness doesn’t have to wait until you’ve achieved them. You can be happy, truly happy, with just a shift of perspective.
Conclusion
In the pursuit of happiness, it's important to recognize that the absence of lack is where true contentment resides. The opposite of happiness isn't any specific negative emotion - it's the illusion that something external is needed to complete you. By embracing the truth that you lack nothing, you open the door to a life of joy. So, let go of the perpetual chase, call off the search for happiness and instead, look within to discover the infinite fountain of happiness that's been there all along.
David Stewart
Evergreen Hypnotherapy
Call off the search and find what you’ve been looking for.
