Are we happy?

Somewhere inside of me, there is a happy man seeking liberation.  I have met this man on occasion, but I have not seen him in a long time.  I do most of the things that generally precede his appearance; exercise, act selflessly, take my vitamins, minimize stress and live a life that reflects my belief system.  But lately, he has been reclusive.  I met this man once when he was a young boy.  We met in a meadow filled with beautiful wildflowers that undulated in the warm breeze under a bright yellow sun.  Sparrows and meadowlarks whirled and turned in an aerial display above the gentle hills.  A crystal clear brook meandered through the field, babbling as it fell from rock to pool.  Tall, snow-capped mountains pierced the sky in the distance.  I watched the child as he ran through the field, brushing past colorful posies and sunflowers, happily laughing as he went, apparently without a care in the world.  I wondered, how can that be?  I was confused and bewildered as I had not expected this young person to be so happy.  I walked through the field and the boy approached me.  "Hello." he said in a clear bright voice.  He looks to be about six years old with bright blue eyes and longish blond hair.  "Hello." I replied.  "What is your name?" he asked.  "Dirk" I said.  "Hey, that's my name!" he replied with a broad smile.  "Yes."  I smiled back looking down at the young boy.  "It is a beautiful day." he said looking up at me with sparkling eyes.  "Yes, it is." I replied lifting my face to the sun.  "Well, it was nice to meet you Sir." said the boy extending his hand and looking up at my face.  "It was nice to meet you Dirk." I replied grasping his hand with a firm, but gentle grip.  "I have to go now." he said with a questioning look on his face.  "I know." I watched him as he ran off, zigzagging through the tall grass and wind-blown flowers without any apparent destination, eventually fading into the vibrant colors of the field.  I turned and began walking back.  "...three, two, one and your back with us now Dirk".  I opened my eyes and looked around the office.  The antique clock ticked loudly on the mantle as I attempted to get my bearings.  "How do you feel Dirk?"  I turned and my gaze rested on the middle-aged man seated across from me.  He had a notebook on his lap and a concerned look on his face.  "I met him." I said as my eyes began to well up.  He handed me a box of tissues which a waved away and instead rubbed at my eyes with my fists chocking back the tears.  "He was happy." I said haltingly.  "I don't understand.  I don't ever remember him being happy."