Life is full of pains and pleasures. Everyone rich or poor, young or old, male or female, or others experiences them without any discrimination. The natural instinct of every living being is to attain happiness and to be free from of all miseries (sukha-prapti-duhkha-nivettisca). This instinct is most developed in human beings. All our efforts, consciously or unconsciously, are directed toward that end. Thus, everyone's the real goal of everyone in life (purusartha), on which all philosophers, theologians, and even common people agree, is the attainment of unalloyed happiness without any mixture or tinge of suffering. If a person experiences pain, then he naturally endeavors to get rid of it. When we are relieved of the pain, then we yearn for happiness. Thus, attaining freedom from pain is our first priority.
There are three types of sufferings we face in our life, namely, those that come from our own body and mind, such as physical ailments and mental distress, those that are caused by other living beings, such as ferocious animals, mosquitoes, enemies, and so-called friends, and those that come from natural calamities, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, famine, cloudbursts, and lightening. Human beings have always been striving to cope with these problems and tried to become free from suffering or reduce their sufferings. With the advancement of science and technology, we have achieved much success in counteracting disease, defending ourselves against the natural enemies be they animals or human beings, and protecting ourselves against natural calamities. Yet, the situation is far from satisfactory. Scientific advancement is far from offering a complete solution to human suffering. Even if a particular type of problem or suffering is dealt with successfully, some others surface up.
Similarly, there is no permanent source of happiness. Undoubtedly, technology has provided a better standard of life and varied ways of enjoying it. Yet, the level of happiness, in general, has not increased. There are now more people suffering at the mental level than the physical. Moreover, the material pleasures awarded by various gadgets are temporary. A person still feels a sense of emptiness within. Most people in affluent societies are very lonely. Their houses are getting bigger but their families are getting smaller, or rather there are no families.
Nowadays the buildings are taller but the vision is dwarfed. Much information is available but wisdom is sparse. There are more medical facilities than ever before but also more diseases. Most people regularly consume some kind of drug to maintain good health. Such a habit was unheard of even fifty years ago. If analyzed carefully, we see that happiness that comes from external sources, such as food, sex, intoxication, or some other means of entertainment is always ephemeral. There is no unending happiness in the material world. Moreover, there is no unadulterated happiness. It is usually mixed with some sort of suffering. Every experience of happiness is usually preceded or followed or both preceded and followed by some kind of suffering. To enjoy a good meal, one must suffer the pangs of hunger. Without good appetite even one's most favorite food does not accord pleasure. Moreover, if one overeats, then one may suffer indigestion, constipation, or just bloating. On the other hand, if one does not get enough to eat, one feels dissatisfied. To top it all, a human being always has a sense of incompleteness, and emptiness within oneself. One may not notice it because of one's senses being engaged in external objects and activities. But whenever one gets an opportunity for deep introspection into oneself, the emptiness stares sternly.
Besides the visible means of acquiring happiness and dispelling suffering, most major religions of the world advocate some rituals and practices through which one would attain a sublime realm called heaven, where life is full of happiness and without any suffering. Some prescribe the path of self-abnegation in this life. They advocate to shun sensual pleasures and promise a life of eternal bliss after death. The fact, however, is that no material activity can lead toward an everlasting result. If the cause is temporary and limited, the effect cannot be permanent and unlimited. Moreover, the whole material creation itself is not eternal, and thus heaven cannot be a permanent place. Therefore, Sri Krsna says that after one's piety is exhausted, one returns to the mortal world from heaven (Bg 9.21). Furthermore, the heaven is really not completely free from suffering. Scriptures such as the Puranas inform us that sometimes the heaven is also attacked and captured by a class of people called the asuras (demons) who are envious of the higher standard of happiness available to the gods. This also leads to suffering.
Therefore, we must look for a solution which is not fraught with such deficiencies. There are no material solutions to material problems. The real solution lies in the spiritual realm, in a spiritual transformation of our consciousness.
We have all experienced the constant desire and endeavor to be happy, which can even be seen in the animal species. It is a natural tendency from birth and is not something that is acquired by any training. Whether somebody is learned or illiterate, cultured, or uncultured, rich or poor, theist or atheist - everyone hankers to be happy.
This happiness finds its culmination in loving exchanges. Happiness and love go together, and love is the essence of happiness. Even if all our material needs are fulfilled, life without love is depressing. Therefore, our ultimate goal is not happiness but love. It is the most fundamental need of a living being. We need food, clothing, and shelter for our physical existence and survival, but that is not sufficient to bring fulfillment in our life. This constant hunger for love is an innate drive. Whereas our hunger for food is at least temporarily satisfied after a good meal, our hunger for love is not quelled until we achieve pure love.
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