Desires differ from person to person, which means the ease with which these desires can be satisfied varies too. For some, their desires are as modest as a little teacup, quickly quenched with a bit of water. During our childhood, limited desires meant that contentment and joy were easily achieved, leading many to nostalgically recall youth as their happiest time.
每个人的需求不同，满足的难易程度也随之不同。有些人的欲望就像闽南人喝功夫茶的茶杯那么小，只要一点水就满了。我们小时候所求不多，就容易满足，也容易觉得幸福，所以人们记忆中的幸福时刻，往往是在儿时。
However, when desires swell to oceanic proportions, no quantity of fulfillment suffices. Comparison also affects our desires. If we are constantly comparing ourselves and feeling less wealthy or famous than others, how can we ever find happiness?
一旦欲望膨胀之后，就像四大洋五大洲一样，再多的水也无法把它填满。哪怕再有钱，也觉得不如别人富有，不如别人风光。对于这样的人来说，还有什么幸福可言？
That said, the happiness derived from fulfilling desires is fleeting and illusory. Take, for instance, the belief that indulging in delicious food can lead to happiness. This is true only when you’re hungry and yearning for it. If you’re not hungry or already satisfied, even the tastiest food becomes a chore to finish. Being forced to eat when you don’t want to transforms eating into a form of suffering.
当然，通过满足欲望得来的幸福，其实是一种假相，非常短暂。比如不少人觉得，品尝美食是件幸福的事。其实这是有前提的，必须是你想吃也需要吃的时候，美食才能带来满足和幸福。如果你没有胃口，或者已经吃饱，什么样的美食也只能给你增加负担。如果必须吃了又吃，简直就苦不堪言了。
Similarly, some may think that sleeping in brings joy. However, if you’re made to stay in bed against your wishes, what was once pleasurable becomes a form of torment. For someone bedridden, the simple act of getting up and moving freely becomes the most coveted form of happiness.
还有不少人觉得，早上可以睡到自然醒很幸福，但如果让你躺在床上不许起身，幸福就变成折磨了。如果从此将卧床不起，更会让人痛不欲生。那时候，能够起来行动自如，又成了梦寐以求的幸福。
Clearly, desires only lead to a sense of satisfaction when we alleviate our cravings. This satisfaction, however, is merely an illusory form of happiness, contingent upon particular conditions and does not capture that true happiness. Hence, happiness that stems from fulfilling desires is inherently unreliable.
可见，欲望能够带来的，只是某种需求被缓解后产生的满足感，是在特定情况下产生的，是幸福的假相，而不是本质。这种幸福是不可靠的。
摘自《心灵创造幸福》
版权所有：济群法师
Excerpted from:
Happiness Comes from the Mind
by Master Jiqun
