I agree that a life of meaning and purpose is, in the long run, much more pleasurable overall than a life of hedonistic happiness seeking however I would also point out that the reason a life of meaning is more pleasurable is because of what we say to ourselves about the life we are living. Self-talk and unconscious negativity are common to everyone who has not done the inner work of consciously bringing their attachment to suffering into the Light. When we expose our inner demons for the illusion that they are, they can be replaced by positive self-talk which supports our psyche and helps us find meaning. The book, "Why We Suffer" by Peter Michaelson helped me more than any other I have read.
ORIGINAL COMMENT
I agree that a life of meaning and purpose is, in the long run, much more pleasurable overall than a life of hedonistic happiness seeking however I would also point out that the reason a life of meaning is more pleasurable is because of what we say to ourselves about the life we are living. Self-talk and unconscious negativity are common to everyone who has not done the inner work of consciously bringing their attachment to suffering into the Light. When we expose our inner demons for the illusion that they are, they can be replaced by positive self-talk which supports our psyche and helps us find meaning. The book, "Why We Suffer" by Peter Michaelson helped me more than any other I have read.