Big Think

Anthony Pioppi on January 10, 2008, 10:37 AM

Being happy is my duty! Really?

Anthony Pioppi on January 10, 2008, 3:37 PM

Being happy is my duty! Really?

Matthew Evans on January 14, 2008, 7:10 AM

Being happy will truly make us less sad.

Matthew Evans on January 14, 2008, 12:10 PM

Being happy will truly make us less sad.

Henry Reynolds on January 15, 2008, 7:01 PM

i think at some point being passive, and neglecting the issues that our world faces is irresponsible. as responsible human beings we need to help the least advantaged. the isolationist health camp approach to well being that Thurman suggests is only a possibility for the wealthy. how do people in Darfur benefit from my happiness? when our children inherit environmental problems will they remember that we were happy? this just seems like a way to eradicate guilt from our lives.

Henry Reynolds on January 16, 2008, 12:01 AM

i think at some point being passive, and neglecting the issues that our world faces is irresponsible. as responsible human beings we need to help the least advantaged. the isolationist health camp approach to well being that Thurman suggests is only a possibility for the wealthy. how do people in Darfur benefit from my happiness? when our children inherit environmental problems will they remember that we were happy? this just seems like a way to eradicate guilt from our lives.

William Green on January 16, 2008, 4:27 PM

Thurman is saying we need to keep ourselves cheerful when dealing with problems, not that we shouldn't feel responsible. It's one thing to feel guilt, it's another to be consumed by it and do nothing.

a a on January 16, 2008, 5:24 PM

Don't worry, be happy. Don't sorrow, be angry.

Do you think Gandhi and Jesus never got sad or angry? Of course they did, but they directed their anger in a positive way and were happy when appropriate.

Are we talking happy or positive, maybe I'm missing the point.

William Green on January 16, 2008, 9:27 PM

Thurman is saying we need to keep ourselves cheerful when dealing with problems, not that we shouldn’t feel responsible. It’s one thing to feel guilt, it’s another to be consumed by it and do nothing.

Kirk Boyer on January 16, 2008, 10:23 PM

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Being happy in general is a decision.

Approach problems as if they can be solved, and try to find a solution. This process doesn't have to affect your emotions — you don't have to let it.

You will still probably be brought down by certain things, and maybe that provides the contrast that gives more meaning and effect to the positive feelings you have at other times. But getting caught-up in emotions (allowing them to strongly influence your decisions) rather than simply experiencing them is dangerous.

a a on January 16, 2008, 10:24 PM

Don’t worry, be happy. Don’t sorrow, be angry.

Do you think Gandhi and Jesus never got sad or angry? Of course they did, but they directed their anger in a positive way and were happy when appropriate.

Are we talking happy or positive, maybe I’m missing the point.

Jennifer Trujillo on January 17, 2008, 1:46 AM

Yes, being happy is a conscious choice and not always easy, but mindfulness of both yourself and the world we live in makes for a more hopeful outlook for the future of humanity. Despite what some people say I do not believe that Buddhism teaches us to stand by and watch the atrocities of the world, but rather to approach them with a more constructive, useful solution that does not involve the taking of life.

Kirk Boyer on January 17, 2008, 3:23 AM

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Being happy in general is a decision.

Approach problems as if they can be solved, and try to find a solution. This process doesn’t have to affect your emotions — you don’t have to let it.

You will still probably be brought down by certain things, and maybe that provides the contrast that gives more meaning and effect to the positive feelings you have at other times. But getting caught-up in emotions (allowing them to strongly influence your decisions) rather than simply experiencing them is dangerous.

Jennifer Trujillo on January 17, 2008, 6:46 AM

Yes, being happy is a conscious choice and not always easy, but mindfulness of both yourself and the world we live in makes for a more hopeful outlook for the future of humanity. Despite what some people say I do not believe that Buddhism teaches us to stand by and watch the atrocities of the world, but rather to approach them with a more constructive, useful solution that does not involve the taking of life.

Enos Flores on January 18, 2008, 3:56 PM

Happy is as happy does….enjoy each moment and experience the joy of life no matter how big or how small. Die happy!!! Don't marginalize yourself.

Enos Flores on January 18, 2008, 8:56 PM

Happy is as happy does….enjoy each moment and experience the joy of life no matter how big or how small. Die happy!!! Don’t marginalize yourself.

Deborah Townsend on January 21, 2008, 10:18 PM

I think it would be ideal if everyone could just be happy. The world would be a better place, obviously but people are dealing with many problems and aren't always able to just be happy. Just being happy isn't a solution to anything, it's just an attitude.

Deborah Townsend on January 22, 2008, 3:18 AM

I think it would be ideal if everyone could just be happy. The world would be a better place, obviously but people are dealing with many problems and aren’t always able to just be happy. Just being happy isn’t a solution to anything, it’s just an attitude.

Zachary Wolk on February 2, 2008, 3:03 AM

Thurman's Inner Revolution is an amazing resource :)

Zachary Wolk on February 2, 2008, 8:03 AM

Thurman’s Inner Revolution is an amazing resource :)

Edwin Tom, III on March 14, 2008, 1:07 PM

"how do people in Darfur benefit from my happiness?"

I don't think the point was to be blissfully neglectful, but to be cheerfully proactive.

Edwin Tom, III on March 14, 2008, 5:07 PM

“how do people in Darfur benefit from my happiness?”

I don’t think the point was to be blissfully neglectful, but to be cheerfully proactive.