What is happiness?
The ah-ha! of discovery, the 'flow' I experience when an artwork is shaping itself, the satisfaction of a completed task, and observing my surroundings to find small beauties. (For instance, Thursday night when we were at the library, I looked through the window opposite the opening door to see a magnificent sunset, all brilliant pink and orange.) I half wanted to shout out, "Everyone, stop your book searches, put your books down, come see this beauty that only exists for this moment!"

I didn't,(I did get Julia looking, and she appreciated it), but everyone else seemed oblivious. Yet so often happiness is like this, in the small moments. If we don't look for it, we don't find it.

I am certain happiness is different for awakened people. My initiatory experience of happiness grows when I learn how it is not dependent on external circumstances. It is not based on popularity or monetary wealth, or physical possessions, no matter how advertising tries to convince us otherwise. True wealth comes in knowing this. Those who are awakened rejoice in the deepening of consciousness by all means which strengthen it, such as learning and meditation. Also, I rejoice in good communication with other awakened people and that is another form of happiness.

And, after pondering this question, I felt the urge to draw: