The Happier of the Two; Enjoyment and Satisfaction

Those who think that there is nothing beyond their current lifetime, try to enjoy to the fullest with their senses. They are always striving to make arrangements for enjoying using their senses, because, after all, they believe, there is just one lifetime, live it fully! Eat, drink, enjoy!

On the other hand, those who believe that life is eternal and can perceive the current body as a temporary and troublesome dress for the soul, try to mould their life around spiritual principles. They strive to train their mind to be satisfied with minimum sensual dependencies by engaging it in joyful and satisfying spiritual activities. Note that spiritual activities also engage the senses fully, without being fundamentally dependent on them for enjoyment. Since the senses and body are temporary, what's the point in depending on them direly?

One kind seeks enjoyment, and the other seeks satisfaction. Assuming that both attain what they seek, who will be happier?

https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/10/9

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca

Translation: 

The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.

The Illusion of Being in Control

Unless we strive for lofty ideals and goals in our lives, that requires a life of one-pointed focus and dedication, controlling the mind and senses does not seem necessary. Moreover, unless we subject our mind and senses to rules and regulations in the form of dos and donts, we remain convinced that our mind and senses are under our control.

Thus, those who think that their mind and senses are under control are pitifully unaware of their powerlessness against their own mind, and even more pitifully unaware of sublime ideals and goals that require one to control the mind by following a disciplined life of rules and regulations.

The Bhagavad Gita repeatedly points out these facts. Following verses are just two examples:

https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/2/60
The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.

https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/2/64
But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.

The Emptiness Quotient

The emptiness of our life can be measured by the time we spend transfixed by the grip of Facebook and WhatsApp.

The mind's nature is to run behind the next thing that comes along, and the senses follow the mind. WhatsApp and Facebook provide an unending stream of things to run after, dragging the senses in all directions. How then will the mind get steady?

A serious student of yoga should use his senses - eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and touch - very deliberately and not engage them with anything and everything that comes along.

The mind can be controlled by giving it a goal and using the intelligence to guide it in that direction. Choose a worthy goal and fill your life with purpose and satisfaction.

What is your emptiness quotient today?