Well, I'm probably a bit of a coward and a hedonist. I'm sure I'd be tempted by Jasmine. The thing is, the people affected by Jasmine don't seem to be truly aware of their situation. It's almost like they're not fully conscious, sentient.
I think my fear of losing control, full consciousness would outweigh my desire for "happiness". Probably also why my brain is so repelled by the implications of atheism"”the mind ceasing to exist. Some people think free will is actually an illusion anyway. If so, that's the illusion I prefer.
At the same time, that's also something I fail to fully comprehend in religious conceptual thinking. Is there free will in Heaven? No suffering, perpetual joy. No more desire to rebel against God, do your own thing? You somehow retain your free will. And through God's grace, you rid yourself of your weak human nature...
Does "happiness" mean anything when there's no suffering to compare it to?
"There is often a complex and dynamic relationship between happiness and suffering. There is a Chinese saying: "the extreme form of happiness produces sorrow." Just as happiness may lead to suffering, so does suffering lead to happiness."
"There are different approaches to happiness. The Western approach focuses on positive feelings, positive actions, and positive lives. It seeks to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Suffering is considered a foreign, hostile intrusion into our happy existence. However, when suffering can no longer be avoided, then one tries to trump suffering through positive psychology. The Western approach works best in a culture of progress, affluence and hope.
The Eastern approach focuses on wisdom, patience, detachment and serenity. It seeks to develop and master our inner lives so that we can transcend suffering. The transformation of suffering is achieved through wisdom and enlightenment. The Eastern approach works best in a culture of suffering and endurance.
The existential approach focuses on responsibility, choice and actions in the midst of chaos, absurdity and sufferings. It seeks to overcome suffering and absurdity through an courageous act of acceptance. For example, happiness is pushing a heavy rock uphill over and over again, in spite of the absurdity and futility of this exercise. This approach works best in a culture of meaninglessness and despair.
The Christian approach focuses on finding happiness and life through embracing suffering and death, as exemplified by Christ on the cross, and taught by Christ in his Sermon on the Mount. Happiness is not the absence of suffering, but the surrendering of suffering to God as an offering. This approach works best in a culture of faith and love."
http://www.meaning.ca/articles/presidents_column/happiness_aug03.htm
