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THE COMMON CAUSE
SEARCH FOR BLISS
1.1 All living beings-men, animals, and the like-only seek happiness in all things and pursuits, there is no one who does not hanker after eternal life and blissfulness in some form or the other. The form of happiness sought depends upon the spiritual, mental and cultural development of the living being. No form of life, howsoever lowly, wants to die. They fear death and make all possible efforts to avoid it. Pursuit of happiness and fear of death are common characteristics of life as we see in this world.
On analysis, it will be seen that happiness sought is generally related in one way or the other with sensual pleasures-satisfaction of the palate by eating tasteful foods, satisfaction of eyes by seeing beautiful objects, satisfaction 'of ears by hearing sweet music, satisfaction of sex, satisfaction of passions by possessing wealth, status, power, and a sense of superiority over others. To get the above pleasures, one has to make constant efforts for the whole life by adopting various vocations and it often leads to strife with those who happen to be engaged in the pursuit of the same object. But the desires increase faster than the possessions and none in the World has been able to fulfill them. In fact, desires have no upper limit and even the entire wealth of the whole Universe is insufficient to satisfy them. Even otherwise, it is a common experience that sensual pleasures do not satisfy the soul, however much they might tickle the senses for the time being. Sensual pleasure is essentially impermanent, depends on the contact with other things and bodies which are not within our control, involves trouble and pain in its obtainment, creates worry and uneasiness after its experience, and gives rise to misery in old age on the impairment of the senses on which alone its enjoyment depends. No one who has analysed the problem rationally can possibly find anything in common between the ideal of happiness which he must seek and the sensual gratifications described above. None in this World, including the greatest of kings, will be found to be truly happy. Each has one cause or the other to be unhappy. All living beings have a
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