Page 47 - NAMAH-Oct-2016
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Namah Think it over
whether animals have the capacity to feel back on our lives, there may be moments
happiness. It certainly follows that they should we treasure the most that highlight
be able to in some degree, considering that accomplishments, experiences and true
they’re capable of fear. The problem comes in effort. It seems the more we challenge
the distinction between fear and happiness. ourselves and do what we once thought
Fear is an emotion that generally produces to be impossible, the greater the levels
observable behaviour. Happiness, however, of joy, freedom, and accomplishment we
is more subjective, nuanced and produces experience in our lives.
less distinctly discernible behaviour. What’s
more, there’s no reason for happiness to exist Beginning an experimental journey
in the animal kingdom, since all necessary toward happiness might be started with
behaviour is considered to serve as some small steps:
form of survival mechanism. Fear is often
a response to outer circumstances for both 1. Laugh at yourself; smile at others. Psychologist
animals and humans. The wagging tail of a Robert Cajon and numerous subsequent
dependent on survival needs. researchers have proven that act of smiling
leads to the emotion of happiness (3). Smiling
Happiness, however, seems to be an emotion is not then just a side-effect of happiness, it
in human beings that is more elevated and causes it as well. It has even been shown to
consciously sought. Is it possible within reduce stress and depression. So the next
our minds and souls to make a conscious time you are feeling blue or want to elevate
decision to be happy and challenge our your consciousness, just smile and let your
‘emotional slippage’ into unconsciousness? mind respond with happiness.
Being happy is often a conscious decision, a
collaboration between the soul and the mind 2. Finding the positive in any situation —
— a soul-mind connection. If our goal is to it’s there.
practise forming the ‘happy habit’ and then
to cultivate and maintain this feeling, how 3. Widening the soul-mind connection —
do we build those ‘muscles of happiness?’ when in doubt, go wide, vast, and extend.
How do we begin the practise to replace
grumpy with happy? Let’s look at some 4. Try to appreciate everything, everywhere.
ways to cultivate happiness.
5. Kindly observe yourself and determine
In his bestselling book, Flow: the Psychology the difference between what is desire or vital
of Optimal Experience, after decades of research, attraction and what is a true connection to
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi found that what divine happiness.
ultimately produces the most joy in people
is the state of Flow. Of this state he suggests 6. Value and practise optimism.
that, “The best moments usually occur when
a person’s body or mind is being stretched in 7. Be grateful. Right now, write 3 things
a voluntary effort to accomplish something you are grateful for. Respond with internal
difficult and worthwhile (2).” As we look gratitude for the Divine.
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