If there is one thing we all absolutely and unanimously agree on, it is our need for happiness. Even though some of our actions externally suggest that the last thing we seek is to be happy, despite constant efforts in the depths of our being, there is nothing but a constant thirst for Ananda, or happiness. All of our actions are determined by this, consciously or subconsciously, and for this reason we often succeed in overcoming the most diverse and unthinkable difficulties, in the hope that we will eventually achieve satisfaction in happiness.
Each of the activities through which we try to achieve happiness, is first and foremost influenced by a certain type of knowledge or information. The type of knowledge we have influences our actions, with which we consciously or unconsciously believe that we can ultimately become happy. Unfortunately, we often find that we expected something else and that this goal does not fulfill our deepest desires.
For this reason we share a few words today on the subject of “Preyas and Sreyas”.
These two words come from the ancient Sanskrit language and are translated as short-term and long-term happiness. Since this life is a sacred expedition in which we try to discover the most precious treasure of bliss, it is essential to distinguish between these two types of happiness.
First, we will analyze the meaning of “preyas” or short-term happiness:
“Preyas” represents what most people today understand to be the only kind of happiness. It is at best attainable through the constant attempt to satisfy our physical, sensory, mental or intellectual demands. We always have the feeling of being close to happiness and abundance, but as soon as we try to embrace them completely, they dissolve and seem to flee from our hands like an illusion.
Why does this happen? If we try to learn from these frustrating situations, we will naturally conclude that any attempt to experience happiness through sensual pleasures cannot satisfy us in our innermost being. From this we can understand that our true identity consists of something completely different; it doesn’t only consist of matter through which we try to fill our inner emptiness.
If we follow this train of thought, we can conclude that the various proposals offered to us by contemporary society and the current worldview do not point the way to happiness, but rather to its exact opposite, suffering. This is precisely because we seek “preyas” or transitory joy. This is only experienced on the level of material duality, which, however, is only a temporary absence of suffering.
Short-term happiness is not real happiness, because it immediately brings a kind of fear and dissatisfaction, which we then try to overcome incessantly through another short-term happiness. In this way, our entanglement in the world of illusions and worldly attachments becomes ever stronger.
All the suffering that inevitably arises from this kind of situation also tries to tell us something. The pain that comes into our lives carries a precious message that always points in a higher direction, trying to direct our gaze to the level of the essence of life.
In other words, our true identity has little or nothing to do with the external elements that present themselves to us in our relative material experience. This is not only shown to us through possible suffering, but is also revealed through sacred scriptures and teachings. To the extent that we sincerely embrace spiritual teachings, we can avoid suffering. As the famous saying goes: “He who will not learn must feel”.
In reality, we are Sat-Cit-Ananda, or in other words, eternity, knowledge and bliss. Instead of looking outside for everything that we believe satisfies us on the inside, we are advised to dive deeply into the inner reality of our true being and discover there everything that we could not find anywhere until now.
This is why we are told that “preyas”, transient happiness (crude or subtle) is nothing more than a convenient and cheap version of true happiness. A shadow or distorted reflection of the original reality, which in turn consists of happiness and pleasure at all times. In this way we can understand that we are made of non-material nature, and already carry a kind of knowledge and happiness within us. But how can we experience this?
For this we must first understand the concept of “Sreyas” or long-term happiness. We can only do this by learning to use the best of our intelligence, under the appropriate guidance of people who have a personal experience of eternal happiness. To this end, we should gradually and systematically devote ourselves to the cultivation of eternal spiritual knowledge, while leaving behind our previous understanding and perception of reality as transient.
The cultivation of spiritual knowledge causes a gradual removal of various layers of selfishness in our consciousness. At the same time, it brings forth virtues such as patience, tolerance and sacrifice, and makes us open to superior forces and influences. From now on, our life will be shaped in a completely new way.
Thus my illusory sense of identity, or in other words, my body-consciousness or false ego, will be pushed aside so that my true self can appear in all its glory.
Although our inner nature consists of happiness and knowledge, it can be covered by the influence of the environment. Therefore, it is recommended to always follow spiritual guidance. Only in this way can the full potential of our soul unfold, which would otherwise remain hidden under the influences of matter.
An appropriate environment and spiritual guidance are the essential foundations to steer our actions in the direction of eternal happiness. A happiness that is by no means static or limited.
We will always have the chance to have new and greater experiences of joy and satisfaction that go far beyond our imagination, inviting us into a new world of ecstatic sensation. It is a different kind of life, where everything becomes an incentive to experience even greater joy and happiness. Such a reward will come in due time, as long as we learn to appreciate the tastes of true happiness, and adapt to the incorruptible cosmic laws that lovingly try to educate us by constantly focusing our attention on this sublime goal.
Although we are talking about long-term happiness here, we should be sure that on the way there we will have powerful and enlightening experiences that will strengthen us again and again with faith, hope and energy, so that despite certain impulses and temptations to short-term happiness, we will progress to the desired goal. Above all, we can receive this strength and determination from the message of the teachers and Holy Scriptures. As we progress along the path, the desired goal that has been waiting for us since time immemorial will become more and more clearly visible until we reach the eternal shelter of the soul and find ourselves in a dynamic reality, where every step is a dance and every word is song.
We invite the kind reader to take time to ask what value and meaning “Preyas and Sreyas” have in their life. An honest answer to this question tells us where we stand and in which direction we should go. Then the only question left is whether we are ready to profoundly question our sense of life, and make decisions based on this in order to change our lifestyle.