The reason you do anything

[AlphaAbundance]

In terms of awakening, there is no other reason rather than joy. There is bliss/nirvana which is just joy. There is understanding of truth (which in the end) is just the joy you derive from understanding truth. There is the ego death or peace or quieting of the mind which is just joy from that. 

Sometimes people stop temporary joy for long term joy. Quitting fapping, eating diseases and addictions for the greater long term joy of health. Even whoever post the next comment will post for joy. Maybe the joy of ego, joy of compassion, joy of expressing yourself. 

Why do people say that you must have another reason for awakening other than joy when literally every other reason (understanding of reality) is joy? It seems to be an insight that everything you do is for joy and maximizing it. Hedonism?

[EvilAngel]

I completely agree, everything is done in the pursuit of joy, but this is not the same as hedonism. Hedonism is the pursuit of easy-to-attain external, temporary pleasures, whereas enlightenment work is the pursuit of something greater - an inner peace and joy which is permanent and requires sacrifice and discipline to achieve.