The Important Distinction Between Absolute and Relative Happiness
A lifetime of misery can come from chasing the wrong kind of happiness
Without thinking too much about it, answer this question: what is the end goal of your life? All of the accomplishments, relationships, and possessions you may be chasing right now — why are you chasing them? What is it that they promise you, that makes you want them?
More likely than not, the answer is happiness. The external things we chase seem like they will make us happy. We struggle and sacrifice, plan and prioritize, all so that we can get those things that will supposedly make us happy.
But is that really how it works? How is it that we find happiness? And what exactly is happiness, anyway?
Jōsei Toda and Relative vs. Absolute Happiness
Jōsei Toda was a teacher and activist in Japan during one of the most devastating times of that country’s history. He is probably best known as one of the founders of Soka Gakkai, a lay Buddhist organization formed in 1930 — which has becomes one of Japan’s largest religious…
