In populair thought people often argue that happiness is a state of mind.
I disagree.
Sure, sometimes we can make problems bigger if we run circles inside our head, often spiraling out of control. It takes an effort to turn things around an stop negative thoughts in their tracks. But it is wrong to assume that it’s all a question of self control.
As thinking beings, the result of both nurture and nature, the workings of our mind are a complex process of which we of as yet no very little. Many factors are at play.
Some people are chronically depressed or anxious and only medication can give them any sense of relief.
Some people have personality disorders the result of years of abuse or trouble since childhood, resulting in changes of the brain and how it functions for good. Sometimes with hard practice old patterns can change, but it is an illusion to expect change over night, waking up staring into the sun and deciding to do everything differently.
Instead of positive credo’s like ‘Happiness is a state of mind’ I would rather prefer more realistic credo’s. Even ‘Shit happens’ sounds better to my ears.
Ever since I’ve started to read about Zen philosophy I’ve had most difficulty with those practitioners and ‘Dharma Bums’ preaching against any negativity. But is this the only way? What is wrong with negativity? Without negativity, there exists no positivity. It’s yin and yang, and all part of life.
Since I remember myself, even as a kid, I was intrigued by the dark side. Not clothing myself as a goth, or imagining myself as count Dracula. No, just a curious interest or fascination with death, with mourning, with loneliness. I never considered it a bad thing.
Later this developed into an appreciation of writers as Dostoevsky. Realistic fiction, often dramatic and often ending in tragedy.
Hemingway wrote in ‘Death in the Afternoon’;
Madame, all stories, if continued far enough, end in death, and he is no true-story teller who would keep that from you.
Isn’t this awfully true?
Suffering is part of being human and the price we pay for being conscious beings.
Many times when happy I don’t even know why I am happy, I just am. It comes and goes like inspiration for writing posts for this blog. I have little control of it.
So no, happiness is not a state of mind and negativity is just as welcome if honest and not conceited.
Hemingway also wrote;
Forget your personal tragedy. We are all bitched from the start and you especially have to be hurt like hell before you can write seriously. But when you get the damned hurt use it — don’t cheat with it.
All states of mind to me are equally worthy. Just don’t cheat with it.