Happiness and Suffering

I have been pondering the notion of Happiness and the Root of Suffering.  I am trying to simplify my understanding here, and I hope it helps someone else too.

What is happiness?

Happiness is when the heart and mind are freed from suffering.

How can one achieve happiness?

Happiness can be achieved as the causes of suffering are recognized and brought to an end.

What is suffering?

Suffering is the opposite of happiness.

Clinging or grasping to things is at the root of all suffering.

How can we become independent and free from clinging and grasping?  How can we end suffering?

The cessation or ceasing of unskillful clinging by mindful practice is the key to happiness.

We have to learn how to control unskillful grasping and clinging, subduing it by the power of insight.

 What can I do to suffer less?

The most effective way of dealing with suffering starts with recognizing it whenever it is present.

Borrowing from Buddhism, we learn: “Things, if clung to, are suffering, or are a source of suffering.â€

Things are transient, unsatisfactory and devoid of selfhood.

We must find out what causes clinging to things, getting one to the root cause of suffering.

Knowing the cause, we shall be in a position to eliminate clinging and grasping to things, eliminating our suffering in a mindful way.

Knowledge of the root of suffering can be considered to be the most profound and most penetrating knowledge, putting one in a position to eliminate suffering completely.