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True Happiness 8
The notion of happiness is often a trap of the five sensual desires, bringing about “fever, suffering” instead of true joy. In order to liberate ourselves and help our loved ones, we need to practice “dwelling happily in the present moment” (happiness right in the here and now), to take refuge in the Dharma instead of our notions, and to transcend the idea of a separate self in order to realize that “to live is to be one” – when fear, anxiety, and anger are absent, only then can joy be true joy.
The Four Immeasurable Minds – loving kindness (Maitrī), compassion (Karunā), joy (Mudita), and equanimity (Upekkhā) – are four pure states of mind that cannot be separated. They heal all psychological “illnesses” such as anger, loneliness, fear, disappointment, guilt, or discrimination. They inter-are with each other (for example, in loving kindness there must be compassion, joy, and equanimity; in joy there must be loving kindness, compassion, and equanimity…) and when practiced deeply, in combination with the Seven Factors of Awakening, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Four Noble Truths, they lead to complete liberation, not just a temporary rebirth in the Brahma realms.
The method of practice begins with compassion and equanimity (“medicine” to transform suffering), then loving kindness and joy (“tonics” that bring happiness). We need to heal our pain first so that loving kindness can be authentic, while at the same time maintaining balance among the four minds: compassion – equanimity before offering loving kindness – joy. This is the guiding compass for dwelling in the Dharma, nourishing boundless love, and attaining true happiness.