Question: There is a parable about an old man who used to sit and fish by the river every day. One day, he caught a goldfish which promised to fulfill one wish. The old man asked: “Let every person in the village be happy.” The fish fulfilled the wish.

The old man returned to the village and saw that everyone was busy with their own happiness and forgot about him. The old man realized that true happiness is not in desires for others, but in the ability to be happy yourself. Do you really agree with this?

Answer: Why not?

Comment: Still, he wished happiness for others. There was a case that I could wish happiness to others, and suddenly I came to the conclusion that I should be happy myself and not wish happiness to others.

My Response: If you do not picture what happiness means, your own happiness, then what can you do for others? It is not easy.

Question: So first I must understand what happiness is?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Then, can I ask you what happiness is?

Answer: Happiness is when you do not feel any limitations. It can be from above when you are a billionaire, young, etc.

Comment: Full of energy.

My Response: Yes. And it can be the other way around, when you understand your limitations, but they do not restrict you.

Question: That is, I come to terms with them. You are as if saying: I enjoy what I have. Is this called “without limitations”?

Answer: Yes.

Question: And can a person wish this for himself?

Answer: Of course.

Question: And then can he wish others the same kind of happiness?

Answer: In general, yes.

Question: And can we say that in this case the old man wished happiness for others and missed his own happiness?

Answer: No, this cannot happen. He automatically builds himself up in relation to others.

Question: That is, he somehow perceives what happiness is?

Answer: Yes.

Question: You know, we get a lot of letters in response to all our videos. Parents write: “We have done so much for our children’s happiness, and as a result, we are left alone, and our children are busy with their own happiness and not with us at all.” What would you answer these parents?

Answer: There is nothing to answer. This is human nature. And it is unreasonable to reproach parents for reproaching their children now.

Question: I see. But can parents reproach their children for leaving their parents? Or is it better not to do that?

Answer: This is also unreasonable.

Question: So in this case, if we are talking about restrictions, is it better to live with it as is?

Answer: Yes.

Question: And is it right to live with it?

Answer: Yes.

Question: You once told me that your teacher used to say about relationships with children: “Shut your mouth and open your pocket.” Give the children what they need, and leave them alone. Is this the right approach?

Answer: Yes.

Question: At what age should you treat children like that?

Answer: At about 14.

Comment: Even at 14, leave a child so that he…

My Response: Yes, don’t leave him completely but gradually distance yourself.

Question: Then another question, based on all this. Should one want to make other people happy? Should one have this thought?

Answer: I think this is a very egoistic question. You start meddling in other people’s lives and there is no way out of it.

Question: So what is the conclusion from this?

Answer: Do not meddle with others.

Comment: Do not meddle with other people’s lives.

My Response: Do not meddle.

Question: And how should one live?

Answer: Just live. Live simply, and that is it. Why do you need to compare your life with other people’s lives and direct yourself toward other people’s achievements? “I will be happy if they are happy.”

Question: Yes, this formula is well-known. Do you think it is egoistic?

Answer: It is the most egoistic one.
[335576]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 9/23/24

Related Material:
How Can You Make Happiness Follow You?
How to Sculpt Your Happiness
Looking For Happiness Or Simply Living?

Filed under: Education, Meaning Of Life, News | Add Comment →