“'The meaning of life is happiness.'” He raised his finger, leaning forward, focusing on her as if she were the only person in the world. 'Hard question is not, "What is meaning of life?" That is easy question to answer! No, hard question is what make happiness. Money? Big house? Accomplishment? Friends? Or …' He paused. 'Compassion and good heart? This is question all human beings must try to answer: What make true happiness?' He gave this last question a peculiar emphasis and then fell silent, gazing at her with a smile."
The Dalai Lama's answer is just cryptic enough that one may now have an idea of the meaning they're searching for, but it is entirely up to them to find how to achieve happiness. Knowledge of the desired end result is clear; it is the path to reach it that each individual must discover.
I consider myself to be a happy person. I do a lot of conscious things to maintain this state, but I think the greater factor is my genes. Certain people have it way easier biologically to be happy. Why should something pretty far out of our control be the meaning of life?
Some of the things I do that I think make me happier: Express gratitude, Laugh even when other people aren't laughing, Connect with people, Do work that will benefit other people, Meditate, Don't hate unnecessarily, Stay busy.
Happiness is a logical state to desire, and I think those who are happy are more likely to acknowledge meaning in their life. At the very end of "The Stranger," Meursalt feels ready to live life again. He is able to relate to the world's indifference and finds that he was and is happy. Other people have determined that Meursalt's life should not continue, but even in his last hours he has come to understand his own meaning and happiness.
I agree with you, everyone has a different idea on what happiness is. While some people may scoff at the idea that money and material possessions bring happiness, it certainly can for some. I don't think anyone has the right to judge because there really isn't one way to be happy. There are so many possibilities and paths that people can explore and surely people will enjoy experiences differently than others. While people may hate Meursault, his happiness should not depend on the views of others.
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