[tgflynn]

Many forms of spirituality, notably Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta, teach that happiness is not something that is produced by things we do or have but is inherent in our true nature. In fact our activities only interfere with our ability to recognize that nature and experience the bliss it entails.

As someone who once had many great plans and hopes for my life, all of which have come to naught, I can attest that I have found this to be true. The person I was 10 or 20 years ago would have rather died than live the life I ended up with, but today my most common emotional state is one of bliss.