10 things science says
will make you happy
I’m a science geek as well as a Buddhist
geek, and recently when I was leading a retreat on how to bring more joy into
our lives I found myself making a lot of references to an article published in Yes magazine,
which touched on ten things that have been shown by science to make us happier.
It seemed natural to draw upon the article because so much of the research that
was described resonated with Buddhist teachings.
So
I thought it would be interesting to take the main points of the article and
flesh them out with a little Buddhism.
1Be
generous
“Make altruism and giving part of your life, and be purposeful about it,”Yes magazine says. “Researcher Elizabeth Dunn found that those who spend money on others reported much greater happiness than those who spend it on themselves.”
“Make altruism and giving part of your life, and be purposeful about it,”Yes magazine says. “Researcher Elizabeth Dunn found that those who spend money on others reported much greater happiness than those who spend it on themselves.”
And
in fact Buddhism has always emphasized the practice of dana, or giving. Giving
hasn’t been seen purely as the exchange of material possessions, however;
giving in Buddhist terms includes non-tangibles such as education, confidence,
and wisdom.
“And
which are the three factors of the donor? There is the case where the donor,
before giving, is glad; while giving, his/her mind is bright & clear; and
after giving is gratified.” (Anguttara Nikaya)
2.
Savor everyday moments
“Study participants who took time to savor ordinary events that they normally hurried through, or to think back on pleasant moments from their day, showed significant increases in happiness and reductions in depression.”
“Study participants who took time to savor ordinary events that they normally hurried through, or to think back on pleasant moments from their day, showed significant increases in happiness and reductions in depression.”
This
of course is an example of another fundamental Buddhist practice — mindfulness.
When we’re mindful we stay in the present moment, and really pay attention to
our experience. Walking meditation, and even eating, can be ways of savoring
everyday moments. In being present, we dwell in the present without obsessing
about the past or future, and this brings radiant happiness:
They sorrow not for
what is past,
They have no longing for the future,
The present is sufficient for them:
Hence it is they appear so radiant.
(Samyutta Nikaya)
They have no longing for the future,
The present is sufficient for them:
Hence it is they appear so radiant.
(Samyutta Nikaya)
3.
Avoid comparisons
“While keeping up with the Joneses is part of American culture, comparing ourselves with others can be damaging to happiness and self-esteem. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, focusing on our own personal achievement leads to greater satisfaction.”
“While keeping up with the Joneses is part of American culture, comparing ourselves with others can be damaging to happiness and self-esteem. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, focusing on our own personal achievement leads to greater satisfaction.”
Buddhists
are advised to avoid “conceit.” Now in the west we think of conceit as a sense
of superiority, but in Buddhism conceit includes thinking you’re inferior to
others, AND it includes thinking that you’re equal to others! What’s left? Just
not thinking in terms of self and other at all. The ideal in Buddhism is a kind
of “flow” state in which we un-self-consciously respond to others without any
conceptualization of there being a self or another.
“Though
possessing many a virtue one should not compare oneself with others by deeming
oneself better or equal or inferior.” (Sutra Nipata 918)
4. Put money low on the list
“The more we seek satisfactions in
material goods, the less we find them there,” [researcher Richard] Ryan says.
“The satisfaction has a short half-life—it’s very fleeting.” People who put
money high on their priority list are more at risk for depression, anxiety, and
low self-esteem.
Despite
western preconceptions to the contrary, the Buddha wasn’t against people making
money. In fact he encouraged it! Money’s useful to the extent that it supports
our physical needs, allows us to make others happy, and — most importantly — to
the extent that we use it to support genuine spiritual practice. In Buddhist
terms we validate our wealth creation by giving our money away to support
what’s really important in life, which is the pursuit of wellbeing, truth, and
goodness. The idea that materialism can bring us genuine happiness is what
Buddhism calls a “false refuge.”
There
is no satisfying sensual desires, even with the rain of gold coins
(Dhammapada
186)
Knowing
the bliss of debtlessness,
& recollecting the bliss of having,
enjoying the bliss of wealth, the mortal
then sees clearly with discernment.
Seeing clearly — the wise one —
he knows both sides:
that these are not worth one sixteenth-sixteenth
of the bliss of blamelessness.
(Angutara Nikaya)
& recollecting the bliss of having,
enjoying the bliss of wealth, the mortal
then sees clearly with discernment.
Seeing clearly — the wise one —
he knows both sides:
that these are not worth one sixteenth-sixteenth
of the bliss of blamelessness.
(Angutara Nikaya)
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