Happiness is an experience — a state of the mind characterised by pleasure, satisfaction or joy. On the path of knowledge, happiness is understood as a fleeting appearance, like all other experiences, and is distinguished from bliss (Ananda), which is the natural state of the experiencer.

Happiness and suffering

Happiness and suffering are two sides of the same coin. Both are experiences that come and go. The pursuit of happiness and the avoidance of suffering drive most human activity, but both are impermanent. The seeker on the path of knowledge is not interested in temporary happiness but in the permanent peace that lies beyond both.

The reward of knowledge

Nature produces a reward — experienced as pleasure — when an organism knows something and puts it to use. This pleasure reinforces the acquisition of knowledge. However, pleasure is not the goal; it is a side effect.

Beyond happiness

The Experiencer is the witness of happiness and the witness of suffering. In the Experiencer there is complete absence of both — only peace remains. The realized seeker is not seeking happiness, because they already are that which is beyond happiness and sorrow.

Pitfalls

Seeking happiness on the path of knowledge is a mistake. The path will not make you happy in the worldly sense; it will free you from the very cycle of seeking happiness. What remains is something far greater: unconditional peace and freedom.

See also: bliss, suffering, freedom.