living bridge

Sunday 19 July 2009

PLEASURE,HAPPINESS, CONTENTMENT

PLEASURE, HAPPINESS, CONTENTMENT

These three words are different ways of expressing our interpretation of subjective feeling joy or satisfaction. One of the three words are chosen to express our degree of satisfaction, type of joy, the duration of enrichment, whether it is casual or everlasting,, the significance of the event or activity ,the intimacy with which the event happened.

PLEASURE: A feeling of extreme gratification aroused by touch, sight, smell, hearing.
It is very short lived event of joy, satisfaction. and one may not attach much significance to it and forgotten sooner or later. Human kind seeks pleasure in everything and every minute of his life. It may be playing, watching T.V.reading traveling,, writing,pursuing outdoor hobbies,sexul activity,. eating at his or her favorite Restaurant
When a new friend is introduced in a big gathering we welcome with words” It’s a pleasure to meet you”
.Some seeks pleasure in pain although they are contrasting. Pleasure is an emotion whereas pain is a bodily sensation.
Pleasure centre is situated at the hypothalamus and when this centre is stimulated by the endorphins pleasure is experienced.

HAPPINESS: Unlike pleasurable moments happy times live in our memory for a longer
period although not for ever. When you meet your close friend after a long period you welcome him or her saying “I am happy to meet you” when the nostalgic moments of your togetherness flash back in our memory. Winning a lottery, matches, grand slam,, public recognition of your work, social service ,receiving awards, certificates, holiday with your family ,success in business,politics,living with all family members are all happy moments but doesn’t last for ever. But these moments leave with more wants and desires. Hence happiness is a journey and not a destination. Happiness is the key to success and success is not the key to happiness. When we accomplish something after a struggle happiness envelopes us.
We make all efforts to be happy but do not spare the time and inclination to relish it. This is making a bed all night and not sleeping

CONTENTMENT: This is blissful rapture of joy and gratification. This is achievable only after you have climbed up the pyramid of wants and desires and once at the top you draw a line of contentment. Contentment is not the final destination. It does not mean that a contended citizen should remain idle and sink into depression. After we have achieved our target in work, business,career and after having fulfilled our family responsibilities we should take up a hobby, or service which are of non-materialistic value. As we age we should introspect in silence for silence is the language of the soul. This meaningful second innings life assures bliss and contentment for there is no desires,wants,no more goals to score, no more hurdles to cross, no more boss to satisfy.

To get immersed in contentment one should in silence

1]LIMIT YOUR EXPECTATIONS

2]ACCEPT YOUR LIMITATIONS

3]ENDURE CRITICISM ,REBUKE,ABUSE,NEGLIGENCE

4]EDGE OUT “I””ME” EGO

5]NOT CARRIED AWAY BY PRAISE OR FLATTERY

6]WORDS OF FLATTERY SHOULD BE SWALLOWED, DIGESTED,
AND EVACUATED BUT NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO HEAD

7]UNCONDTIONAL LOVE FOR ALL.

8]KEEP YOUR MIND BODY ACTIVE WITH HOBBIES,SOCIAL SERVICE

9]MEDITATE IN SILENCE WHEN YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH NATURE.

10]LIVE EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE WITH GRATITUDE TO GOD.

11]FORGET AND FORGIVE . LEST BAD MEMORIES WILL POISON YOUR MIND AND SOUL.

12]NEVER DELAY TO SAY”I AM SORRY” AND NEVER FORGET TO SAY “THANK YOU”

CONTENTMENT is a sense of fulfillment characterized by peace of mind free from wants,deires,worries etc.

Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and concentration with commitment will contribute to the mind set of contentment.

In giving up what you don’t need you will learn what you really need.


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