Guide to a Happy Life

Everyone strives for satisfaction in life. Regardless of whether we study, work or earn money, our actions are aimed at achieving happiness. The desire for eternal happiness and peace is deeply rooted in human nature. Ghanashyam Khadka’s Ananda Samhita explores this universal longing: what happiness and sadness mean. It examines how people pursue happiness and suggests alternative approaches that can lead to self-fulfillment and inner peace.

This book helps us find peace and happiness within ourselves, regardless of external or superficial influences. The author explains that people often pursue happiness in ways that lead to disappointment. If happiness depends on fleeting moments, it is not real happiness. On the contrary, joy must be long-lasting and accessible to reason – if you can be happy without a reason, nothing can take away this joy. Happiness and peace are permanent states that come from within.

The author suggests that sadness often arises from a lack of self-awareness. Happiness and sadness, he argues, are not the result of events, but our attitude towards them. A positive approach to life can turn difficulties into opportunities, darkness into light, and problems into growth. Keeping peace is an art; it does not come from birth and can be achieved through preparation.

The author explains everything in detail, helping readers quickly grasp the content. He uses relevant examples to add depth to the ideas, encouraging readers to apply them in their daily lives. This book contains questions and thought-provoking exercises that challenge us to think about our lives. Khadka writes: “In the universe we are very tiny; thus, worrying about little things and being sad is unworthy.”

The book consists of 18 interconnected chapters, each of which leads the reader to self-knowledge and inner peace. Each chapter introduces a new concept and theme, which is also the theme of the chapter, building on the previous one and adding new layers. The author explains how the presence or absence of certain qualities or attitudes can affect our desire for peace, making each chapter a stepping stone towards achieving a deeper sense of fulfillment.

The author included various stories in the book to bring his ideas to life and interest the readers. These stories serve as visual examples, making ideas more memorable. For example, he shares the story of famous scientist Albert Einstein and his driver to illustrate how we naturally take on traits from those we spend time with. This leads to his advice: Surround yourself with people who inspire you, are intellectually curious and self-aware.

While reading the book, I applied many of the suggested mindfulness practices and self-help tips. While such philosophical books may not appeal to everyone, Ananda Samhita engages readers in reflection at the end of each chapter, making it more interactive and applicable to everyday life.

Each activity encourages us to reflect on the ideas in the chapter and integrate them into our daily lives. When I read the class recommendations and tried a few, I felt like I was meditating while listening to Pravachan. However, I found it difficult to concentrate and follow the instructions carefully. This experience made me realize that a calm and focused mindset is necessary to truly internalize the wisdom of this book and put its teachings into practice. Although achieving this level of immersion may seem unrealistic in our busy lives, this is the reason the book was written.

All sessions focus on positive self-talk and affirmations that calm the mind and heart, bring calm and build self-confidence. As the saying goes, “You become what you feed your mind.” We can move towards a positive life by practicing positive affirmations and developing optimistic self-talk.

The writer advises us to control our hearts, and not to obey them. He explains that true happiness and salvation will remain elusive if we are ruled by our hearts. By accepting the inevitable death, we can learn to appreciate each moment, which allows us to live more fully in the present. Such acceptance, he argues, leads to a profound awakening of the true value of life.

The author relies on the story of Siddhartha Gautama, who left his palace, realizing the inevitability of death. Gautama’s decision to give up superficial pursuits highlights the importance of focusing on meaningful goals rather than allowing trivial distractions to distract us. Life is uncertain, and by remembering this, we can better appreciate its value and not waste time on distractions that take us away from our ultimate goal of salvation.

Moreover, the author supports the text with data, statistics, and ideas from psychological theories from figures such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, and Abraham Maslow, as well as scientific principles. He also uses Nepali proverbs and folk sayings to explain complex ideas in clear language. Khadka also talks about the teachings of the Buddha and uses them as reference material. This combination of psychology, science, and spirituality creates a comprehensive and accessible framework for readers, making it easy to understand deep ideas.

However, this book may not resonate with everyone. As someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward philosophical texts, I found the Ananda Samhita both challenging and thought-provoking. The author dives into philosophical, spiritual and idealistic ideas that sometimes seem abstract or impractical, but carry deep meaning. Although I respect the idea of ​​striving for peace and a permanent end to suffering, I find it difficult to agree with this. In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, such ideals may seem unattainable and perhaps impractical to many.

In addition, the book introduces complex terms and concepts that, although explained, may seem elusive to some readers.

Ananda Samhita is a thoroughly researched book that offers valuable information about understanding our inner selves that is overlooked by many. The author’s interesting writing style captivates readers. The book also challenges our attachment to worldly goods and questions how we perceive life, happiness and sadness. The fresh perspectives in the text invite readers to reflect on their lives and lead them to peace and happiness.

Ananda Samhita

Author: Ghanashyam Khadka

Year: 2024

Publisher: Alchemy Publication

Pages: 231