Three Levels Of Happiness

There are three levels of happiness. In the first level of happiness I feel happy from any kind of pleasant sensual experiences, from nose, eyes, ears, tongue and touch. Such experiences are fragile. They come and go. In the second level of happiness, I derive happiness in the mind and heart, from pleasant thoughts and feelings. But they are also transitory and fragile. The highest and enduring kind of happiness comes from deep contentedness, deep fulfillment, and peace- from an awakening that brings peace even among the vicissitudes of life. I feel free from the bonds that enslave me. It is the ultimate happiness. In Buddhism it is called nirvana. It is a state where suffering is extinguished. I have glimpsess of such happiness that lean into a contentedness beyond changing circumstances. When I operate from my loving heart and quiet mind I feel the supreme happiness-a deep sense of love and oneness. The small individual self is transformed into the universal Self. It is a state of unitive consciousness. When I come out of my self-centeredness and relate to the world unselfishly and love all forms of life unconditionally, I feel oneness going beyond man made differences and divisiveness. Awakening helps me to walk on this path. Awareness helps me to stay on this path. Namaste! Jagdish P Dave

But neither response here addresses the seed question. When/how do you personally experience the third level? And just being the giver rather than the getter is passing judgment on the getter and elevating the giver. Is the starving person who receives food somehow less in the grand scheme of things less than the person who has the good fortune to be in a place to give - no.

Amen!