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Happiness has nothing to do with what you have or don’t have. Happiness is related to what you are.

Happiness is not a byproduct of material possession but a state of being – an existential experience, not an economic condition. This world is full of people who have amassed treasures, yet they live in poverty – poverty of joy, of spirit, of love.

When Osho says happiness is related to what you are, he is suggesting that it is an intrinsic quality, arising from your very essence, your consciousness. It is about finding contentment in your existence, your awareness, and your connection to life and all things within it. It is an acceptance of the present moment, an understanding of its fleeting nature, and a deep appreciation for the experience of now.

Material possessions can create a temporary sense of pleasure, but they are transient and can never fill the void of an unfulfilled being. True happiness is when you remain in a state of peace and contentment, regardless of external circumstances. It is an inner flourishing that does not waver with the changing tides of fortune or misfortune.

To expand on this, consider the lotus flower that grows in muddy waters, yet rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. It does not seek to change the mud from which it originates; instead, it focuses on the process of growth and actualisation.

Likewise, your own happiness is a manifestation of your inner development, of becoming more mindful, compassionate, and understanding. It is not something that can be given to you or taken away. It is the fragrance of the consciousness that has seen through the illusions of attachment and aversion, and discovered the simple yet profound truth: happiness lives within.