TOPIC 3: THERE IS NO PATH TO HAPPINESS; HAPPINESS IS THE PATH.(UPSC CSE 2024)

Introduction

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – By Albert Schweitzer. In the fifth century, the newly crowned Prince Siddhartha Gautama was living a life full of luxury. As he ventured on his chariot to look for his subjects, he observed grave suffering around him. He realized that material possessions could not bring him true happiness. Now, to find peace, he left his palace and family to seek enlightenment. His first step towards the path happiness was through the path of extreme self-denial and his belief in the detachment from the worldly pleasures. He still felt incomplete despite the best efforts. Meditating under the Bodhi tree for years, Siddhartha found that happiness is not in the path of the extremes where he was then or in any particular place; it is rather in balance, mindfulness, and being absolutely in the present moment of each step of the journey. In other words, the practice of mindfulness and present moment awareness is the secret of happiness. In the current times, Shah Rukh Khan, a giant of Indian cinema, rose from extremely challenging beginnings, the death of his parents led him to leave Delhi to pursue acting in Bombay. Despite facing unpleasant experiences and rejection in his acting path, he found happiness in the essence of his journey of acting. In most of his interviews, he often highlights that happiness is about passion and the connection, and it is not success, fame, or money. He infuses motivation in his fans about life that “you find happiness in the journey, not necessarily in the final destination.”

Interpretation

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” —By Aristotle. The quote reflects that happiness is a making of the personal or shared experiences and is unique for every individual. It is a complex phenomenon which includes the state of mind and being. It denotes a condition of flourishing and is associated with feelings of satisfaction, joy, and contentment. For example, although Walt Disney is embraced for constructing a world of joy and imagination, he emphasized that fun and enjoyment path of happiness is critical towards life. By contrast, Nelson Mandela pointedly found happiness towards his own fight for equality and justice, and in advocating and champion perseverance and resilience. Thus, it stems from understanding your-self, roles, and responsibilities. Even biologically, happiness has a different path for each. For instance, in Siamese twins, one twin may wish to be an entrepreneur to achieve material possessions, while the other one might want to pursue a life in quest of spirituality.  Happiness  also involves both emotional and psychological aspects generally tied to a combination of pleasurable experiences, meaningful relationships, and purpose in life. For instance, the parents would be being content with whatever little resources they have, while for the child, happiness may stem from what one needs to achieve, personally, or professionally stemming from external privileges and support. Thus, it is profoundly a personal experience. Trying to follow a prescribed path to joy is like searching for the fountain of youth – that we can’t. There is no ‘right way’ for everyone – no one-size-fits-all path. For real happiness, we must seek and design our own way.

Elaboration

Happiness is not served directly

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” — By Mahatma Gandhi. The quotes signifies that happiness is open to exploration and creation of the path,  one may choose to walk in through both the internal and the external medium to be happy. For instance Lord Krishna through his internal path of Nishkama Karma guided Arjuna’s dilemma to side with his duty as dharma, and relinquish the adharma by killing his mischievous relatives. Thus, he created a path of duty consciousness, morality and integrity in one’s pursuit of achieving the eternal bliss i.e. beyond happiness. He exclaims, that the integral churning is a continuous process and it forces a person to seek happiness through his thoughts, words, or actions and duty consciousness is the supreme goal. On the contrary, happiness is typically pursued and influenced by the external environment. It is described as reaching a destination, where it could be realised by having enough money or by being highly qualified in the societal ladder. However, we have seen in recent and past events that those paths doesn’t necessarily end in happiness, but in despair. The illusion of materialism creates a false belief that financial security equates to happiness in society. We see that many wealthy individuals suffer from mental health issues, emphasising that money alone does not guarantee joy. For e.g. Matthew Perry, the famous “Friends” character was very rich and famous in his experience, but he was struggling with addiction and depression. He died at the age of 50, battling isolation and despair. Similarly, Michael Jackson struggled with extreme loneliness despite having fame and wealth. His life was challenged with mental health struggle, which played a role in his terrible demise. Likewise, health security is a crucial parameter of happiness, but many people battle poor mental and physical health due to lack of proper infrastructure and resources. For e.g. IAS officers, with significant power, unable to make meaningful changes due to the slow-moving bureaucracy, possess feelings of helplessness. This sense of powerlessness often leads to depression, frustration and unhappiness and ultimately leading to unhappy family life, resignations or retaliations ending up as punishment postings. Similarly, education is often revered as a path to a better life, but it can be a double-edged sword, as the pressure to achieve the heights can lead to stress and anxiety. Recently, seen in the tragic case of death of an AIR 1 NEET topper, who was unable to handle intense pressure and committed suicide. Thus, it shows that despite their academic success, the burden of expectations can lead to feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness, far away from happiness. Also, self-esteem and social relationships are important aspects of emotional well-being and happiness, but with the rise in social interactions now happening through social media, people are getting more vulnerable to feelings of inadequacy. This was seen in the case of Sushant Singh Rajput, the young and popular actor who tragically ended his life while facing increasing internal pressure due to early success and public scrutiny over his mental health. Thus, assumed to be the happiest celebrities despite being surrounded by fans, can experience deep loneliness and social disconnection. Similarly, holding power and high positions in corporates often takes a toll, leading to fatigue and mental health struggles. For instance, an Ernst & Young employee recently took her own life due to the intense pressure of climbing the corporate ladder. Given the challenge of balancing stress, career demands, and potentially social isolation, it may ultimately drown people in “the path of unhappiness in the pursuit of finding the path to happiness”. Thus, the quote signifies that no one path will guarantee happiness – not even health, education, money, or social status which are perceived as basic for “living your best life“. The pressure, social expectations, and rules of society to succeed can shatter their well-being. In fact, mental health struggles can be found even at the very, very top. We can’t be limited to only focusing on a societal parameter of happiness or success and must expand to more broadly consider mental and emotional health.

Walking the path that leads to Happiness

“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”— By Franklin D. Roosevelt. Happiness is not a destination but a way of life—a path we tread, a path shaped by our choices, values, and inner fulfilment and it resonates that self-awareness and internal peace are integral to happiness. This philosophy can be seen in countless lives, from everyday individuals to renowned personalities. For example, Steve Jobs dropped out of college, listening to his heart and following his passion for design and technology. His path was filled with both triumphs and setbacks, which were fuelled by his belief that true happiness comes from innovation, not financial gain. Similarly, in sports, M.S. Dhoni and Virat Kohli embody this philosophy as well. Dhoni’s journey from a small-town boy to India’s most successful cricket captain was driven by his committed focus on the process and maintaining the calm even in pressure situations on the field. Kohli, too, emphasizes staying in the present—he transformed his career by focusing on fitness and self-discipline, illustrating that happiness is found in the everyday steps taken, not just in winning matches. Our neighbour, Bhutan, is a unique national example where Gross National Happiness (GNH) is prioritized over GDP. The country’s focus on well-being over economic growth shows that societal happiness is cultivated through balance, sustainability, and mindfulness. Contemporarily, in the corporate world, many professionals have left high-paying jobs to pursue simpler, more meaningful lives or to serve the society e.g. Chhavi Rajawat serving as sarpanch of Soda village. A number of women have chosen to step away from successful careers to embrace homemaking, finding happiness in nurturing their families. For e.g. Sushmita Sen who took a step back from mainstream Bollywood to focus on single motherhood and philanthropy. Similarly, many individuals take breaks to travel, explore different cultures, or engage in self-discovery. These journeys often reveal that true contentment lies in experience, not accumulation. In every field—from science to spirituality, from homemakers to athletes—the essence of happiness lies in embracing the present, living authentically, and following one’s heart. The journey is the reward. Happiness is not something we find at the end; it is something we cultivate along the way.

Creating and ushering into a path of happiness

 “You can’t live at all unless you can live fully now.” – By Alan Watts. The idea of “carpe diem” or “seize the day.” i.e. living in the moment, sums the alignment of happiness and the path. This philosophy encourages us to embrace the present, and seeking joy in our daily life rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.  Thereby, finding the delight not in the pursuit of distant ambitions but in the daily experience of life itself. For instance, Einstein found happiness in scientific creations and discoveries, Gandhi found pleasure in helping society, and Vivekananda believed that spiritual knowledge should be shared. Their stories show that following social norms is not as important to happiness as listening to one’s own voice. In the past, Sufi saints like Kabir and Namdeva challenged the material world and urged us to look within for true peace. Furthermore, Mira’s bhakti revealed her unwavering love for Krishna and proved that happiness can only be attained through submission and faith. At an organic level, a mother’s life is the embodiment of happiness as a path in our daily lives and in our relationships. Her decisions on a daily basis—her loving care, her sacrifices, and the home she builds—provide her contentment and happiness rather than outcomes. Her satisfaction stems from the act of caring itself, not from outside approval. As a result, the journey is more important than the final destination.  Some believe that happiness can be found when certain goals are achieved—like a promotion, wealth, or fame. But as the stories of those who have wandered in search of happiness show, it is the journey, not the end result, that truly matters.

Anti-thesis

Found the path to happiness

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” — By Theodore Roosevelt. Without financial resources, people struggle to satisfy the physiological and foundational needs, hindering their ability to experience happiness. For instance, according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, basic needs like food, shelter, and security must be fulfilled before pursuing higher psychological needs like love, esteem, and self-actualization that ushers happiness. Pursuing career objectives—a promotion or starting a successful business—can lead to increased job satisfaction and financial stability, often translating into a happier and more fulfilling life. It also helps one to cherish other aspects in life which others would not have been possible otherwise. For example, someone living in poverty may find it challenging to focus on personal growth or relationships, as the stress of financial insecurity overshadows the pursuit of happiness. Financial stability allows individuals to practice philanthropy, contributing to causes they are passionate about. This sense of purpose derived from helping others can significantly enhance personal happiness. Similarly, indulging in creative pursuits—like painting, writing, or music—can also be goal-oriented. Likewise, completing a project or learning a skill can bring immense joy and fulfilment, showing that happiness can be a destination achieved through focused effort. Rather than solely relying on the process, sometimes a more structured or planned pursuit of education and skilling can help one achieve perfection, highlighting  may not come from the means but an end-oriented goal. Setting fitness goals, such as doing a marathon or achieving a specific weight loss target, often leads to enhanced well-being. The discipline of losing weight training, and the joy of achieving the milestones of running a marathon can calculate happiness through ends rather than means. Thus, short-lived ventures often can lead to long-term happiness through estimation of the path of happiness.

Way forward

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – By Rumi. Rumi signifies that happiness requires one to have emotional intelligence, awareness and mindfulness to ensure oneness with the consciousness to achieve happiness. If often travels through experiences of pain and pleasure. From the epics – The Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom on detachment by focusing on his duties and responsibilities through the fulfilment of Karma – the action itself. Krishna’s preaches to Arjuna that one must practice karma without attachment to the results. Thus, happiness exists in the present and that true inner peace stems from living purposefully. He emphasised that practising self-discipline lets you free from the desire for external outcomes. Likewise, the Jainism idea of Anekantavada shows that truth and happiness are not absolute by looking through the lens of multiple perspectives. It teaches that ahimsa (non-violence) and simplicity guides us to a path of mindfulness, and ethical living through material detachment. This is similar to the concept that happiness is a path we walk on through our values and not from external success. The present versus future dichotomy is another key dimension. Many people sacrifice the present for the future, thinking that happiness will come when they achieve certain goals. But such thoughts often lead to perpetual dissatisfaction. It is also justified by the Western philosopher Aristotle, who believed in eudaimonia, i.e. living a life full of virtues rather than seeking pleasure. He believed in rational reasoning and goodness through morality to realise one’s potential, emphasizing that happiness is a continuous endeavour. Similarly, Socrates, believed in soul’s development as the ultimate goal of happiness through wisdom and self-awareness i.e. living according to one’s inner values, rather than chasing external rewards was prime for Socrates. This shows the way of happiness is through self-discovery and moral integrity. But Kant, on the other hand, viewed happiness through the lens of duty and ethics. To him, happiness was a by-product of moral duty, integrity and responsibility-oriented actions  and adherence to ethical principles, which builds inner satisfaction, which is much more profound than emotional happiness. Thus, happiness is a path that connects with means versus ends. Finally, Gandhi illustrates that happiness is not a destination but a process rooted in living in an authentic and purposeful manner each day. The journey itself on how we navigate our lives contains the essence of true happiness. Thus, happiness through the above examples suggests that it is the path itself; it is a journey of inner growth, integrity, and alignment with our deepest values. It completes a person’s circle of existence.

Conclusion

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” — By Aristotle. The quote exemplifies Dalai Lama preaching’s that, inner peace comes from cherishing others. Philosophically, Gautama Buddha’s conversion of Angulimala, who was a brutal mass-murderer, reflects the possibility that even deeply troubled people can find peace through compassion and awareness. Ashoka embraced Buddhism and paid efforts to promote peace, tolerance, and welfare programs across his empire, which exemplified his pursuit of happiness—not just for himself, but for his people. Ethically, the example of Lord Rama helps us recognize the deeper sense of joy from fulfilling our duties and keeping our moral commitments. Recent contemporary figures like Ellen DeGeneres and Michelle Obama remind us that the more people we help, the more happiness we experience. Each of those dimensions of the life of happiness opines that happiness is a journey of living mindfully, living ethically, and living meaningfully for and with others.