Are we all not familiar with the statement ' Don't worry, be happy'? Yet, are you really, really happy? And then, what exactly is happiness you may say. Obviously, to each individual the definition of happiness will be different and vary with the conditions and multiple factors. In short, the underlying equation can be summed up as happiness is present when the wants of a person are met. However, in your observation of the world around you, would you agree that when the wants of a person are met there is happiness? Obviously, not. For when a particular want has been satisfied, there is soon another want or need. Suppose, you want a really nice big house and you recently won the lottery and actually end up buying a nice big house of your choice, would that be the end of your suffering? Maybe so, for a short period of time. Thereafter, you are back to square one. Which is wanting something else and still suffering as a result thereof. It soon becomes obvious that searching for permanent or unchanging happiness in this world of changing objects and conditions and environment is futile, since one has no control whatsoever over these changing world. Next, the wants and needs are infinite, including wanting happiness (which in itself is a need and want). Yes, you may portray an image of happiness and contentment, and on asking some people may actually say that they are happy. What they mean is that they are happy at present but cannot testify to that fact at a later time or date. For the one who says he is happy today may have a major tragedy befall him and there goes his state of happiness.
It becomes obvious that no state is permanent or eternal. All states including the state of happiness are transient. So, that brings us back to the question of what exactly do you mean by 'Don't worry, be happy'? It depends on how you interpret it. The statement itself would have to be split up into two separate statements.
First, let us discuss the statement 'Don't worry' since it seems to precede the next statement of 'be happy'. Perhaps, not worrying may be a prerequisite to being happy?!! Can you ever be eternally worry free? Not likely. At the least even a very happy person will eventually worry about his pending death and the pain and suffering associated with death. So, how can you be free of worry? Firstly, worry is nothing but a thought. A thought that arises spontaneously. And since you identify yourself with the thoughts you take ownership of the thoughts (worries included). There is no way anyone can be free of worry as long as there is association of one's identity with the body and the mind. In the mind, the thoughts are endless and constantly welling up one after the other. Even if one meditates, there is no question that as soon as one finishes the session of meditation and returns to the surrounding environment, there will be multiple thoughts and as a result worries of some nature or the other. Anyone who has practiced meditation and yoga would testify to the extreme difficulty and virtual impossibility of permanently controlling thoughts. And that is because thoughts will continue to arise based on vasanas (the only English word that comes close to describing this is "impressions"). To avoid diversion, we will not go into the discussion of vasanas for now. The only way out is for one to inquire into 'who is worrying?'. That brings us back to establishing your real identity. Once it becomes clear that the thoughts are not who you are, then the question of worry does not arise. Since, worries are nothing but thoughts, as soon as one realizes that he or she is not thoughts but one who is aware of thoughts, the worries automatically cease. Therefore, Knowledge remains your only hope. Knowledge of who you really, really are. Once established in this Knowledge of your True Identity, although thoughts may arise, there is no association with them, leaving you to revel in the peaceful oneness with your own self.
Now, we will discuss the other half of the statement "be happy". Actually, when the first part of the statement is clarified and one becomes established in one's own True Nature, the second part is automatic. Once you stop worrying, where is the question of worrying about being happy? There is no question of one being eternally happy. One is automatically happy being one's own self. Just Being is being happy. As soon as you be someone, then there are all sorts of states of mind to which you are attached. That is because, being this or that or someone involves being associated with the thoughts or the mind. Happiness is your True Nature. There is no question of a "me" being eternally happy. As soon as there is a "me" (an entity with a name and form, a someone), there are all sorts of emotions that this "me" can attach itself to and hence the happiness is also transient. Remember, being me is unhappiness. Just being is happiness.
