I disagree with this quote

Today I'll be debating a dead man. How fair, I know.

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts

Marcus Aurelius

First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge that I concur with Marcus Aurelius to some extent, albeit with some reservations. Undoubtedly, the caliber of one's thoughts can influence one's happiness. However, this relationship is paradoxical since the quality of one's thoughts may also be a consequence of one's happiness in life. My primary disagreement lies in the word "depends," as happiness can be contingent on numerous factors. For instance, suppose one solely relies on a particular drug to experience euphoria. In that case, the accompanying lows that follow can significantly affect one's happiness, thereby providing a valid argument that their happiness is subject to the use of their drug.

Happiness is a state of being that emerges when one is not reliant on experiencing happiness itself. Let me explain. When one isn’t dependent on feeling happiness, this inherently implies they are content with feeling unhappiness, and within this realm of consciousness, something transcendental is happening. You are no longer identifying with the thinking brain; therefore, the quality of your thoughts is no longer of importance because you’ve now reached an awareness where the observer is now being observed. This means watching the mind and its thinking process disassociates you from it completely. You are detached from the identification with the framework of the mind, and everything just is. There is no longer happiness or unhappiness. The conceptualization of reality in its entirety is flipped on its head, and you are now in an enlightened state. It’s hard to explain the enlightened state because, in essence, the silencing of rationalizations itself is a circuit to its very nature. It is returning to what is, before the influencing and conditioning since birth. Before the I was “My name is ____, I’m a ____, I enjoy ____ I’m from ____” now the I just is.

Truth is universal, and in all walks of life, the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti happen to be what I’ve studied the most, but you’ll find these same concepts everywhere you look. Don’t believe me? Go looking! Below is a summary of some of his insights relating to the topic.

Jiddu Krishnamurti espoused the view that our thinking brain is the root cause of much of our suffering and strife. He argued that we are often caught in a cycle of repetitive and conditioned thinking, which leads to a sense of separation and isolation from the world around us. According to him, our attachment to our thoughts and convictions creates a false sense of self, resulting in egotistical isolation and conflict. Krishnamurti held that true freedom and liberation could only occur when we can see through this self-imposed delusion and appreciate the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of all things. He advised his adherents to observe their thoughts and emotions without bias or attachment and to nurture a state of mindfulness and presence that transcends the limitations of the thinking brain. He believed this heightened awareness could generate a deep sense of inner tranquility and liberty, transforming our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world.

"The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence."

Jiddu Krishnamurti