Podcast on the nature of Happiness & Sadness covers * Common myths  * Causes of suffering/sadness?  * How can I overcome my pain?   Myths we live with  * We cannot help moving between these two feeling as it is a normal & healthy part of life  * Pleasure is better than pain  * Pain and pleasure are independent opposites and not linked to each other    Gurmat tries to create conscious humans - actively aware of their thoughts, so the goal is  * To reach a neutral state of bliss to all circumstances and situations in life.  * Constant tranquillity or 'sehaj' (not the same as excitement or happiness)  * Is this possible - yes, this is how you should judge/asses our own progress.   Causes of suffering  * Desires (I want = I don't have)  * Ownership        * Body-mind identity        * Ownership of possessions and people  * Delusions of permanence        * Death - we say things like "I lost my father"  * Control        * People should act how I want them to. Everyone acts according to his or her own conditioning.   Solutions  * Choose not to focus on the negative        * Suffering and anger continues as long as you keep narrating the same story to yourself         * Your mood immediately changes when someone calls or rings the doorbell        * Music is an instant mood-changer.  * The past is not your reality now        * "I cannot change past but I choose happiness now"  * Be impartial to everything        * Don't prioritise pleasures over suffering.              * All pleasures received in the past have faded, leaving you wanting more (so pleasures lead to desires and suffering)          * Don't judge anything or anyone's actions as good or bad                * In hukam there are only occurrences                 * These labels only reflect how they affect us.   * Predict unpredictability        * Let go of expectations        * Expect the unexpected        * Anticipate and get comfortable with the ever-changing nature of reality.  * Treat Praise and Criticism equally        * When you are criticised - think about how that can serve you? (Fareeda burrai da bhalla kar)  * Live in gratitude and grace        * Focus on what you have and not what you don't have        * ਦਸ ਬਸਤੂ ਲੇ ਪਾਛੈ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ He obtains ten things, and puts them behind him; ਏਕ ਬਸਤੁ ਕਾਰਨਿ ਬਿਖੋਟਿ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ for the sake of one thing withheld, he forfeits his faith. ਏਕ ਭੀ ਨ ਦੇਇ ਦਸ ਭੀ ਹਿਰਿ ਲੇਇ ॥ But what if that one thing were not given, and the ten were taken away?  ਤਉ ਮੂੜਾ ਕਹੁ ਕਹਾ ਕਰੇਇ ॥ Then, what could the fool say or do?        * Start to use the 'Thank-you' mantra        * Treat each moment as a gift           * Bahuta Karam Likhiya Na Jae, Vadda Daataa Til Na Tamaee - Japji Sahib