TODAY -

E-Pao! Essays - Know Yourself

Know Yourself, Set Your Goals Right And Aim For Absolute Happiness In This Life Or Any Other Lives!!

By: M. Rameshwar Singh (Ramay)

"Do not Follow me, I am also Lost" once the famous Krishnamurthy told his followers. Its true even the famous personalities of all times are not really sure of where they are heading in life… what is the mission statement of their life, and they too get lost in the clouds of life…. OR Is it debatable to make life a mission oriented phenomenon or it has just to be lived, celebrated and rejoiced as the great philosophers think? Whatever it may be, one thing is for sure, all of us ordinary or great human beings all long for one common thing that is TRUE HAPPINESS! How do we get that true happiness? What is true happiness anyway? Or does True happiness actually exist? I believe true happiness actually exist. Phillophers and religious gurus say that unhappiness is caused by desire and Selflessness brings Happiness! But what a human we will be without Desire? We wont be human if we don't have desire! If God created man to have human desires and we decide not to have desire are not we going against the creator Himself?

Selflessness….. What does it mean? Does it mean not having any attachment to anything? But if one is not attached wont the world become so fragmented in terms of human relations? Or does it mean giving everything up for others? Does a selfless man anyway have anything? Anything to be given to anyone! Without having attachment or sense of belonging then can we celebrate life? Can we rejoice? When we see a needy anywhere, want to give him something but have nothing materialistic or that matters to his life with us, and we cannot give and are helpless, seeing others sad, can we rejoice life? Can we be happy? I doubt!! Are the phillophers contradicting themselves? They talk of life after death, giving up present comfort for future happiness? Does a future, a life after death exists? If you believe, it EXISTS! Life is what you believe in! What you believe in! What makes you happy now! Do you have the answer? That is the most significant issue for this generation. If you are not happy now how can you be happy tomorrow, cause as they say tomorrow is the resultant effect of your today and today is the resultant effect of your yesterday. True happiness is that happiness that comes today without having to have to sacrifice that of yesterday or tomorrow.

For me the most significant thing is what you believe in this moment, now? Are you happy now? Real-time? If you are not happy now how can you be happy the next moment? Moreover It is not assured that happy moment that is coming now is going to last forever so why not enjoy that moment now when it is there.

But does this mean that we over enjoy today by borrowing some from tomorrow…without taking precautions or planning for tomorrow? Exhaust all your resources of happiness? NO! We need to plan for tomorrow and learn from yesterday even for happiness just like we plan our day-to-day activity.

But how do we know how much of happiness we need when and where? This is exactly why I say one needs to understand oneself? What are ones aspirations, why these aspirations are there? Is this because of certain short term or long term missions that one chose for one's life? I think so. For me like any other normal phenomenon of life…life itself has to be properly planned to have lived to the fullest. And as you all know planning is always mission oriented. Life without any mission will be like a boat made to be sailed but moored at the bay, rusted, the very purpose of its own creation defeated. Mission is the source from where happiness will come. Mission will differ from person to person .as God has created us in our own moulds? But I am sure God has a mission or purpose for all of us in this life. There is a purpose for which all of us either great or ordinary are born? Many of us are lost and are not able to find that mission which God has made us for and we thus die ordinary. A few of us are able to find what we are born for and those few become great people. The potential to be great is there in all of us. The difference is in only being able to discover the purpose for which we are born.…. the art of knowing oneself…oneself which exist in that fulcrum of equilibrium to balance oneself and rest of the world around you.

Happiness in itself of course as normally people feel is relative? But true happiness is not relative but absolute. Happiness could be contagious but it is not necessary that the same cause that brought happiness to someone will bring happiness to another? This is because aspirations and expectations of life are different from person to person. So it is very important for one to know what makes one happy.

It is true that one cannot remain happy throughout….It is the law of nature as there is sunrise, noon and sunset there is happiness , stillness and sadness . There is life and death …there is good and bad.…but then how do we exist….we exist in balance, in equilibrium .. Equilibrium a state of mind and body that brings us happiness ..it has an absoluteness and permanence about it…but many of us today are not clear of our goals in life. Goals those are permanent in terms of generating happiness and of course resources to enable us to carry on life. You must be wondering why I put that HAPPINESS before the RESOURCES. Coz happiness is the end in itself whereas RESOURCES is the means to that ultimate happiness.

One thing that all of us ordinary or great people equally need and long for is true happiness even though the source of happiness differs from person to person. So what makes a person or unmake a person is that source…what is that source…what makes us happy? But then there is also the view that true happiness is when you get happiness without having stolen others happiness. So knowing what makes one happy is really important. This is what I mean by KNOW YOUTSELF.I am also of the view that unless and until one is truly happy one cannot give happiness to others. In order to give anything to anyone first you have got to posses it yourself. It is my experience that true happiness and pure knowledge are the only two things that don't get exhausted even if you give away, rather it multiplies well inside you. The ultimate way to get true happiness is by knowing oneself first and then those with whom one lives and interacts with. This involves understanding even aspirations of others who bears significance to ones life.

To know oneself again one needs to understand all those that has gone into making oneself…like what is the education one has had, what is food one is taking, what is the social and economic environment in which one is existing, what experiences one has had and which in turn brings out the type of aspirations one has built up over a period of time. Even on which part of the planet one is born also affects ones aspirations I guess. Even though all these factors aren't under our control one can try to optimize the same by choosing to live purely in mind, thought and action. It is a well known fact that the Japanese after the defeat of the first two World Wars took a bow that they all will fight a Third World War in which they are not going to lose, that is the war of economics. They have taken a bow and to achieve what they have aspired they would work and work till they reach their goal and ultimately give that sense of achievement and happiness. That is how people say a Japanese employee has literally to be forced to go on a holiday. It is since 1947 that they have taken that bow and you see where they are now today. Because of a conscious bow they have taken ..determined to be achieved. A bow that became the nations aspiration and became the Japanese way of life…made and traditionalized by that society itself in terms of social acceptance and economic welfare. A person, who works very hard, honestly is treated as a good Japanese and higher recognition is given socially for those who does so with unquestionable sincerity and patriosm.

This is a living example to state that if one consciously decides to achieve something sets a goal for oneself with unquestionable determination it is bound to bring success and if that aspiration or goal has been chosen correctly it is bound to give the happiness one is looking for in life.

So to bring individual and integrated happiness to the society let us all set our goals correctly and go all out to achieve it. ……in other words for every problem in life let us find a way or make a way and change that problem into an opportunity.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • Yaingakpa, Renglien, Thariktha : eMing
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • From Earth Day to World Environment Day
  • COVID-19: Update 13 June 2025 : Manipur
  • JJM brings clean drinking water to CCpur
  • M.Tech CSE Admission at Assam University
  • Save your nails from damage this summer
  • No takers for Moreh cops' distress call
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Implement Hill Areas (Chief Rights) Act 1967
  • Manipur fields shape India sport future
  • How to Speak Soft and Still Win
  • Thokchom Khoiba : mosquito killer machine
  • Looking for wealthy groom, question you too
  • When is the net ban going to be lifted
  • Stir speculations nix school reopening plan
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Fire safety: preventive measures
  • Peculiar plants & incidents unique to Manipur
  • Artificial Intelligence & environment
  • Cutting off the nose to spite the face
  • Relief for daily wagers as shutdown called off
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • The question of territorial integrity of Manipur
  • Animal Farm's allegory in dynamics of Manipur
  • Their hands deserve books, not burdens
  • JNV empowers Tamenglong students
  • We can do better- people with HIV live healthy
  • Bandh: The Cry Beneath the Silence :: Poem
  • Cutting short 240 hours general strike
  • Shutdown lifted, curfew eased, mobile ban
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Review of 'Rain Stopping in Manipur'
  • Highway blockades trigger soaring prices
  • Voice of the Masses :: Poem
  • Congress may claim if none
  • Learning new skills related to AI
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan: Losing the plot ?
  • CBI arrest after Governor clemency assurance
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • Appeals Home Minister not to renew SoO
  • Self-defence :: Poem
  • When will humans learn nature's lessons ?
  • Forgotten voices of drug users in Manipur
  • High-yielding RC Manichakhao-1
  • PC Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • TSE Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Micromanager vs Leader
  • Valedictory Function of NE NSS Festival
  • WED at various campuses in Manipur
  • World Environment Day 2025
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • Sarangthem Nirupama at Miss Universe India
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025