THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

THE one thing on which all sentient creatures agree is that happiness is desirable. Some unconsciously, some deliberately, some under cover of another object placed ostensibly as that which is sought, engage in the continual pursuit of this one end. Everywhere man is in search of happiness. Everything, in fact, around us in which sentient life is found, life capable of experiencing pleasure and pain, every such form of life is engaged in the search after happiness. Some people with a kind of idea, apparently, that to openly seek for happiness is wrong, or in some way unworthy, cover over the fact of the search by putting forward some other end, some other aim, for life. But if we carefully examine their arguments and their conduct we find that while they may put forward what is really a means as the end at which they are aiming, the very way in which they regard that means shows in that it is only an intellectual blunder that they are making in thinking that they are really seeking for that, instead of for the end to which it leads. Many of you may have a momentary question in the mind, if you have not thought carefully over the subject before, and you may be inclined to say: 'Is it not virtue that we seek for as the end of life, rather than happiness? Do we not put before ourselves as the highest good right living, rather than bliss?' But that question, if the answer to it be analysed, will be found to be based on a misconception of the facts.

About the Author:

Annie Besant (1847-1933), second President of the Theosophical Society (1907-1933) was described as a 'Diamond Soul', for she had many brilliant facts to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.

In her earlier days in England, she did remarkable work as a Freethinker and Fabian socialist, and supported many noble causes including women's suffrage. From 1893, she lived in India and worked indefatigably for the cultural and spiritual renaissance of the country. She organized the Home Rule movement and inspired Indians with a dynamic vision of India's future.

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