Happiness is a fuzzy concept and can mean different things to many people. This may mean , for example, a state of satisfaction , enjoyment, pleasure, or a sense of well -being.
Not everyone is born with a sunny disposition , but commentators tend to think that we can all learn how to bring more meaning and satisfaction in our lives. From an academic point of view has some control over his own emotions , because personal choice, genetics and life circumstances interact. It seems generally accepted that as their basic financial needs are met, any increase in wealth is not an important factor to make you happy .
"Money can not buy happiness, but it can make you very comfortable while you be unhappy. " (Clare Boothe Luce )
So what makes us happy ?
Praise and happiness
Who does not like being welcomed by others. Take this to the end and you end up with vain people bask in the glory of others. For example, there is a celebrity who aspires to the public for the sake of being admired. There are some who are happiest when their ego is massaged in ways that you might find it unacceptable that the leader of the gang in the city is pleased when followers show "respect" by kow -tow -ing and give servility.
" If your happiness depends on what somebody else does , I guess you have a problem . " (Richard Bach)
Other honor recognize that they need the esteem of others so they can succeed : movie stars as expected in production because of its reputation and popularity. For some of them , receiving praise may simply be a means to an end , not an end in itself.
Power and happiness
There are people who like and get away with it in all aspects of life they meet, fight for a position of power over others . History is full of tyrants who took pleasure in being cruel revenge or expressing contempt for those who oppose them .
However, it is not as politicians and industry leaders who love the power they exert over all for the sake of doing useful things has been done?
" The day when the power of love outweighs the love of power the world will know peace. " ( Mahatma Gandhi)
Body pleasure and happiness
Who does not love good food and drink, sexual pleasure , relaxation and comfort? However, dependence on these pleasures may mean that no longer provide rest and relaxation to live life to the fullest value of roles. The enjoyment of the addict lasts only until the next revision.
Spiritual philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg said that sustainable profound happiness does not come from external pleasures of the world , which in themselves are lifeless and dull senses soon. Instead , it is to do something useful for themselves and others. Except that it is part of his life , pleasant leisure is just empty and boring.
" True happiness ... is not attained through self -gratification , but through fidelity to a worthy purpose . " (Helen Keller)
Swedenborg goes on to say that what makes us happy depends on what I love - what we want most in life. In line with his writing , I would say that there are four main types of motivation that can be considered in terms of:
A . fixation on the physical side of life ,
Two . egocentric love,
Three . concern for others
April. Divine spirit of love what is good and true.
The attachment to the side of the physical life
What it means to be worldly Swedenborg : setting your heart on wealth, consumption , and set aside the commitment of love for the pleasures of sexual infidelity , and sacrifice moderation for greed. In Buddhism, the ultimate happiness is only achieved by overcoming the desire in all its forms .
egocentric love
We may think that we can be happy to think first self : ask "What 's in it for me." This could mean that does not care about anyone unless they are your ally not really care about the business in question , except that you want for yourself, help others just for the sake of self- reputation and pride not to recognize the valuable contributions of others.
Concern for others
A study by Harvard Business School found that " spending money on others actually makes us happier than to spend it on ourselves. " However , the idea of Swedenborg concern for others is greater than to give to charity and includes an interest in doing what is good and useful to the community for their own good too.
Love of the Spirit of truth and good
I would say that to the extent that we do things for the sake of what is right and good for our community, we are guided by the divine spirit. From the perspective of a religious person , the source of all that is human happiness is a God of love. So , this person is interested in being led by the Spirit of God and not be swayed by themselves or their own inclinations. We can ask ourselves if this is the reason that research shows that happy people are more likely to be religious.
I think
I think we can not we create the kind of deep happiness that will last all the trials and tribulations of everyday life . Happiness must flow to us from your divine source. But for what we have to face the right direction.
The happiness of the selfish and worldly person is a pale reflection of the joy experienced by the person who cares about others and is willing to be guided by the divine spirit of truth and good .
My recommendation is that we are facing away from what all of us know in our heart is bad. Thus we face the right direction for the spiritual gifts of peace , contentment and joy.
Copyright 2014 Stephen Russell -Lacy
As a clinical psychologist , Stephen Russell -Lacy has specialized in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy , working for many years with adults suffering distress and disturbance.
Edita spiritual matters a free electronic publication that explores the links between spiritual philosophy and the comments and questions of spiritual seekers . You can share your views and more to give meaning to life.
