Selections From Chuang Tzu

One selection in particular that I leaned towards was, “J.” The big picture on this section revolved around “happiness,” and what exactly is it/what we all say it is? Happiness is a goal everyone strives to achieve, not just for a second, but the point in life where you reach full perfect happiness. If you were to ask people what makes them happy/where do they find it, common answers would be: family, friends, money, relationships, career, etc. Society pursues for a long life, wealth, and a good name. The general subjects that make people feel happy, but is that what it really is and why? more importantly, when do we finally achieve this. After briefly mentioning happiness in class, I wondered myself why is it that we all desire the same subjects and what truly is happiness. Although, happiness is a very hard subject to get a “right” answer but this article was a really good reading on many theories and the psychology around happiness, and the importance as it relates to everyone. Moreover, in selection “J” it states, “…perfect happiness knows no happiness, perfect praise knows no praise. The world can’t decide what is right and is wrong.” This statement is not wrong, we never really know what exactly is right or wrong, and whether perfect happiness means having happiness at all. This possibly means maybe it doesn’t exist and chasing your perfect happiness will bring no happiness. How someone saying that their happiness is the right way and others say it is wrong. So, is this another word we created for people to have the desire for some destiny/journey to reaching “happiness”? Or is it just a way for people to have the will to stay alive and that they may reach “perfect happiness” in their life?