Happiness is being
at peace with yourself
and your circumstances

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

Dada Jashan P. Vaswani has spoken at the United Nations, the House of Commons, London, and at the World Hindu Conferences in Sri Lanka and the United States. He also spoke at the Centennial Celebrations of the World Parliament of Religions in New York.

Vaswani, 83, was born Hyderabad-Sind, in a pious Sindhi family. After completing his college education, he took up the work of his guru and uncle, T.L. Vaswani, a mystic, philosopher, humanitarian and educator.

Dada Vaswani is the author of about 30 books in English and several more in Sindhi.

In advance of a talk here, he answered some questions about the nature of happiness.

Question: Why aren't the majority of people happy?

Answer: All people seek happiness, but along the wrong routes. Most people believe the source of happiness is money. If that were the case then the richest would be the happiest and that is not the case. Others believe that pleasure and fun is the source of happiness, that life without pleasure is as dry as the dessert sand. This pleasure is ephemeral, like a bubble floating on the surface of the water. True happiness is abiding happiness. And once you have it, no one can take it away.

Q: How is happiness achieved?

A: Many ways ... but if your mind is at peace with your own self and all around you, you are among the happiest people on Earth. To have peace is to take pleasure in whatever God brings to you. People never count their blessings, but are driven by their desires.

Q: What are some of these temptations?

A: We live in a society of competition that says the road to happiness is having more and more -- more comfort, wealth, power.

Q: What is the first step on the road to happiness?

A: We must have the will to be happy, to recognize true happiness, to understand that happiness is our birthright. Make yourself the master of circumstances. We are greater than anything that can happen to us.

Q: How long does it take to achieve such happiness?

A: Certainly not overnight, but within a a year there will be a change if you follow the steps: Have the will to be happy; control desires and not be controlled by desires; count your blessings. But remember, the results are not in your hands. If providence wishes to crown your effort with success, well and good. But accept the will of God, whatever he brings.

Some Are Happy, Why Not You? Dada Jashan P. Vaswani, spiritual head of Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, India, speaks: Place: Punahou School, Wo International Center Date: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow Admission: Free

Click for online
calendars and events.