The Backwards Law – Why Happiness Is Ruining Your Life
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“The safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy.” – Arthur Schopenhauer.
In this video, we explore the paradoxical idea of how wanting happiness may not be the best way of finding it.
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Recommended readings a part of this topic:
The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts: https://amzn.to/2KVti1d
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@somber087
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
It's funny how you can literally just say "Whats the point, we'll all die anyway." to every single statement that exists
@randomtimessomehow
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
You said so much that you basically said nothing.
@maiwinn
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
I discovered this video 3 years ago when I was in a rough place. With no exaggeration, I’ve re-listened to it probably 500 times. It’s changed my life. Thank you for putting this together 🙂
@whysogrim697
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Ironic thing is people living in poverty ect. Are just as content as some people living the most privledged lives
@-Bloomingtales
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
I wish this didn’t have music in the background … it’s so good but I’m having a hard time focusing. Let me try adding subtitles
@xTonyTonyx
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
0:40 – 0:50 just gotta work on raising the baseline described from 2:17 – 2:33 😃 Here’s to hammering out the negative with positivity so that the difference is a happy baseline 😊
@asdsasa7129
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
To hold your breath is to lose your breath.
@Opal1001
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Just, be. Take every moment as it is. ❤
@isaacduraes7685
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
0:59 ඞ 2:24
@Chrispy72
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
“The contrast provides the light”
I’ve had a realization similar to this while on some shrooms. Great video
@SmileFreestyle-hx2rc
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
It's confusing – face the pain but let go at the same time. Take action but don't care. Achieving your goals won't make you happy but chasing them with strength will.
I think sports performance is one clue to how the rest of life works – stiffen up on the golf swing and you miss. Get too frustrated in Jiu Jitsu and you lose the match
@ryanbragabrito
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Simply Amazing
@the_Donoverse
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
One train of thought is by trying to fix the negative, you are admitting it exists and giving it more power. Idk how I feel about it.
@ZeroSouthBall
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Totally agree with the philosophy, the sad thing though is that Alan Watts struggled with alcoholism and most probably it was the cause of his death at 58…
@Izaac1337
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
0:58 the unluckier WHERE? 😳
@jerrisharris5999
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Tao
@deskmat9874
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
You are giving yourself the wrong kind of happiness and comfort. Eating junk food and spending half your day on video games feels nice in the moment but you get nothing, and you feel nothing once it's done
@sufdawg05
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
I've watched this video a few times since it was released but didn't fully grasp the ideas until now. Thank you for this.
@MichaelGustavsonArchitect
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
It was very smart to start the video with the exceptions to these ideas. If you had not, you would have angered me and lost me. Instead I kept watching and now this video is on my favorites list. Thanks.
@edgardominguez8678
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
And by the way; telling people to stop chasing happiness because they don’t need to, because happiness is natural is a lie. I live in Mexico and enjoy a happy life because I and other people enjoy many gregarious events all together. You in the USA need to fight for more long weekends at least once a month, a week for Easter, a week vacation in August and a week in December between Christmas and New Year’s. How dare you tell people not fight for happiness you little shit? Fight for your time away from work with your loved ones, that is your god given right! Enjoy your life and fuck the companies that prohibit enjoyment of life, and lawsuit them, fight and never back down and ask for more money, it is your right!!!! Get up!
@edgardominguez8678
August 22, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Happiness comes from an abundance of long weekends, holidays, celebrations, picnics, trips and similar activities with you lover, friends and family. Stop bullshitting, happiness only comes from within when we remember these times, sometimes. In the USA, happiness is reserved only for a few: that is why people are always on edge (people get killed for nothing with and without weapons), people destroy themselves, mass killings (due to mental breakdowns), and so many people drink and drive. Stop confusing people and please gather your thoughts before considering your content informative or publishing it as such, this video is not helpful and should reward the audience with clear and connecting thoughts if your purpose is to keep the audience engaged long enough to inform of what your point is. Flagging you for misleading title and lacking substance and expedited relevance to your title in a clear manner. Go fuck yourself for wasting people’s time and spreading misinformation to people that are looking for direction.
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