Why does trying to make others happy make us happy ourselves? What are some examples?

Whenever we do something that makes others smile, it overwhelms us with happiness. For example, a very simple thing like throwing grains for birds to feed on, or offering our seat to someone elderly or looking tired in a bus or train, or serving our Guru and Parents with utmost gratitude, respect and complete submission – in each of these, we feel very happy when we see the other party happy. Seeing them happy gives us satisfaction and immense pleasure within.

Also helping others in their problems so that they come out of their difficulties gives us a good feeling. We consider ourselves blessed, “Oh! I am so fortunate to have been useful to someone in whatever possible way”, and think our day was good if that helped make others’ life easy and cheerful.

Seeing others happy makes us happy due to the oneness we share with each other

We see every living being as a separate entity, but that’s because of our intellectual vision. The underlying fact is that we all living beings are really a pure Soul. Although our identities are separate; however, the inherent properties of every Soul is the same. In that sense, we are all basically one! So although we may not realize it otherwise, we feel the inner-connect when we share happiness.

This truth is clearly seen and experienced by the Enlightened Ones through their enlightened vision. And when the Enlightened One graces us with that vision, we too begin to experience that oneness.

The principle is, ‘When you give Happiness, you get Happiness’

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan, the Enlightened being, explains, “What does the pure Soul say? “I take care of the one who takes care of others, and for the one who only takes care of himself, I leave him to fend for himself.

Work for the world; and your own work will certainly continue to get done. When you work for the world, then your work will continue to get done on its own, and that is when you will feel the wonder!

What is the nature of worldly life? God (the Soul) resides in each and every living being, so if you cause any distress to any living being, if you hurt them, then it is a bad deed. If you give happiness to any living being, then it will give rise to good deeds. The result of bad deeds is contrary to what you desire, and the result of good deeds is in accordance with what you desire.”

The Intention is what matters.

Param Pujya Dadashri advises, “Every work has an intention as to why that work is being done! If a noble intention is decided upon, for example, if one wants to build a hospital with the intention that, ‘How can patients attain good health? How can they become happy? How can they experience joy? How can their vitality power increase?’; if you have decided upon such a noble intention and if that work is carried out with the sole intent to serve, then what is the by-production of that? Money!

That is why I am telling you to set this intention, ‘the constant intent to serve,’ then the by-product will keep coming on its own. Just as a by-product does not require any effort at all, it does not require any expenses, it is free of cost, similarly this money is attained free of cost. Do you want this sort of money or do you want black money? You don’t want black money? Then, it’s good! The one that you get free of cost is so wonderful!

Therefore, decide upon the intent to serve; to serve all human beings. Since you opened up a clinic, whatever knowledge and skill you have should be used with the intent to serve others; that should be your only intention. As a result of that, you will continue to receive other things free of cost, and you will never be short of money, whereas those who did it just to earn money incurred a loss.”

To read more regarding this, you may visit https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/spiritual-science/science-of-spirituality/