Happiness is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, influenced by an array of factors that span both internal and external realms.

​To cultivate a deeper understanding of happiness, we must first recognize the key components that contribute to it, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient in capturing the nuances of this elusive emotion.

Scientific research has revealed that genetics play a significant role in determining our baseline happiness levels, accounting for approximately 50% of the variation between individuals.

While it is true that some individuals may be genetically predisposed to experiencing happiness more easily, this doesn't imply that our genetic makeup is the sole determinant of our happiness. Instead, it serves as a foundation upon which other factors can either enhance or diminish our overall sense of well-being.

Life events and circumstances account for approximately 10% of the variation in happiness levels.

​Although external factors, such as income, relationships, and career success, can undoubtedly influence our happiness, their impact is often smaller and more transient than we might expect. This underscores the importance of focusing on the aspects of life that we can control and fostering a sense of gratitude for what we have, even in the face of adversity.

The remaining 40% of the variation in happiness levels can be attributed to intentional activities and personal choices, highlighting the crucial role that our actions and mindset play in shaping our emotional well-being.

​By consciously engaging in practices that promote happiness, we can actively steer our lives towards greater fulfillment and joy.

There are several evidence-based strategies that can help individuals enhance their happiness levels, many of which revolve around fostering positive emotions, building strong relationships, and cultivating a sense of purpose.

1. Practicing Gratitude: Regularly expressing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, as it encourages us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and appreciate the good things we have.
   
2. Engaging in Acts of Kindness: Performing acts of kindness, whether big or small, can significantly boost our happiness levels, as it allows us to connect with others and experience the joy of giving.
   
3. Developing Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, can help us become more present and aware of our thoughts and feelings, contributing to a greater sense of well-being and happiness.
   
4. Nurturing Relationships: Building and maintaining strong social connections is crucial for happiness, as humans are inherently social beings who thrive on positive interactions with others.
   
5. Pursuing Meaningful Goals: Setting and working towards meaningful goals can provide us with a sense of purpose and direction, ultimately contributing to increased happiness.

​Ultimately, the science of happiness teaches us that the pursuit of joy is an ongoing journey, requiring intention, self-awareness, and dedication.

​By understanding the key components of happiness and actively implementing strategies that foster well-being, we can pave the way for a more joyful and fulfilling life. While the road to happiness may be winding and filled with obstacles, it's a journey well worth taking, as it leads to a richer and more meaningful existence.

Life is filled with ups and downs, and our ability to navigate through difficult times plays a significant role in our overall happiness.

​Resilience, or the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, is a key component in maintaining a sense of well-being, even when faced with challenges. By developing coping strategies and learning from past experiences, we can strengthen our resilience and better manage life's inevitable setbacks.

In the pursuit of happiness, it's essential not to neglect our own well-being. Practicing self-care, which encompasses both physical and emotional aspects of our lives, is crucial in fostering a sense of happiness.

​This can include engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and prioritizing time for relaxation and leisure activities. By taking care of ourselves, we create a solid foundation upon which happiness can thrive.

Our social environment plays a crucial role in our happiness, as it shapes our experiences and influences our emotional well-being. Building a strong, supportive community, whether it's through family, friends, or like-minded individuals, can significantly contribute to our overall sense of happiness.

​Surrounding ourselves with positive influences and nurturing relationships can provide us with the encouragement, support, and motivation needed to navigate life's challenges and celebrate our accomplishments.

Happiness is not a static state but rather a dynamic process that evolves over time.

​As we grow and change, our understanding of happiness may also shift, requiring us to adapt our strategies and perspectives accordingly. Embracing this fluid nature of happiness allows us to remain open and receptive to new experiences, fostering a sense of curiosity and wonder that can enrich our lives and contribute to a deeper sense of fulfillment.

The science of happiness offers valuable insights into the key components that contribute to a joyful life. By understanding the interplay between genetics, circumstances, personal choices, and intentional activities, we can cultivate a greater sense of well-being and live a more fulfilling existence.

​Through resilience, self-care, community support, and embracing change, we can navigate life's challenges and experience the joy that comes from personal growth and enlightenment.

​Several studies have shown that binaural beats at low frequency may be helpful in slowing down your brainwaves and promoting relaxation. They've also shown that these beats can be used to induce meditation.

Alpha waves are a type of brainwave associated with calm and relaxation. They are also associated with high performance, particularly peak performance. However, some people have a difficult time harnessing alpha waves. For this reason, they need to make use of binaural beats.

Alpha waves are also associated with deep sleep and dreamless sleep. They are also associated with concentration and insight. In addition, alpha waves are also linked with creativity. In addition, they are used in neurofeedback, which is the study of the brain.

Alpha waves are also associated with the flow state of mind, a state of heightened awareness and concentration. However, it is difficult to achieve this state during a regular workday.

The flow state of mind is associated with creativity, fast learning, and powerful performance. It's also associated with a sense of well-being and liberating peace. It can be hard to reach, but it is worth a try. In order to get into the flow state, you need to remove all barriers to your flow. You might want to set a timer for 15 minutes and then focus on getting into the flow state.

Other researchers have continued to explore binaural beat therapy. In one study, people who were given binaural beats at high frequencies showed improved cognitive performance. They also reported lower blood pressure and heart rate, and increased functioning of their digestion systems. 

In a study of 100 participants, researchers found that these beats decreased preoperative anxiety. They also found that they improved the performance of subjects in a creative task.

While there is no scientific proof to suggest that binaural beats are effective at treating anxiety, they may be helpful for certain types of anxiety. However, more studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of these beats.

​You may be asking yourself if happiness is a state of mind, or if it is a feeling. Happiness as a feeling is transient - it lasts only for a moment or even a day and then is replaced by another feeling. It is therefore important to recognize happiness as a choice you make every day. 

You can choose happiness by choosing to think positively and focus on the positives in your life.

Develop a "thermostat" kind of mindset. This kind of mind does not rely on external things to make you happy. It is based on internal happiness. You choose to be happy even when you face adversity. In this way, you do not let negative circumstances affect your happiness. You believe that you are in control of your own worldview. You can choose to see the good or bad in every situation. 

For example, if you are unhappy with your work, you can focus on the positive aspects (like it helps you to pay your bills) instead of dwelling on the negative parts. 

People who practice mindfulness can find happiness by surrounding themselves with people who think differently than them. They learn to become comfortable with stillness, which is where the brain does its most powerful work. 

What helps further is that, those who are happy tend to cultivate deep human connections with other people. These connections lead to opportunity and possibility, leading to more external 'happy feeling' scenarios. 

Ultimately, happiness is a state of mind, which needs to be traversed like we do any journey and not look out for it, as if it is a destination! Happiness can be cultivated. 

Categories: 
Ancient Wisdom,     Global Vedic Wisdom,   Joy And Happiness    and   Life Management

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​Whether it's the comforting hug of a loved one, or the absence of anxiety, happy people understand that the key to happiness lies in people. Emotional and physical intimacy are critical to overall happiness. But there are also certain other factors that contribute to happiness. In a recent study, researchers found that people who reported being happy more often reported lower heart rates than those who were not happy.

Having positive emotions increases your satisfaction with life and helps you develop stronger coping skills and emotional resources. The longer you experience positive emotions, the less likely you are to be prone to stress and setbacks. Happier people tend to have lower levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Positive emotions are linked to better health and a longer life. It has been shown that positive emotions have many health benefits and reduce the risk of heart disease.

While happy people do feel the plethora of human emotions, including sad emotions, their moods and outlooks are generally more positive. The basic definition of happiness is the same for everyone, but psychologists have found two aspects that define it as a positive state of mind. 

Aristotle distinguished between two kinds of happiness. One being theoretical and the other which is more practical. IN fact there is a famous quote by Aristotle which says- "Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." He gives the concept of hedonia, which simply defines 'Happiness as Pleasure', which involves satisfying our desires and self-care. According to Aristotle, 'Happiness' is not a state of constant euphoria; but it is a balance of positive and negative emotions.

Another way we can identify happiness is by a healthy immune system. Studies have shown that happy people have a stronger immune system than non-happy people. Their immune system also tends to be more resilient. A study was conducted to understand the connection between having a positive state of mind, being happy and getting infections! Researchers found that participants who reported feeling more positive emotions were found to have significantly lower chances of contracting the cold.

People who are happy often have higher quality sleep. A study conducted by Cornell University found that people who have a positive outlook on life have a better quality of sleep than those with a negative one. People who suffer from a low mood have difficulty sleeping at night. If you're not happy, you'll find yourself prone to depression and other negative emotions.

Positive social support is another important factor. While people can be happy in an unhappiness-inducing environment, the support of close friends and family members has been seen to play a very important role in how finally feel about their situation. Supportive and understanding family and friends will increase a person's happiness level. Conversely, an overtly critical, worrying, depressive or simply a very negative mindset of family and friends, can make a person feel miserable. And the key part is, we don't even need to interact with such negative people to being impacted by their sad mood. Just having negative people in our environment can seep out our energy and make us feel drained, unenergetic and miserable!

Lastly, a sense of purpose is a vital factor for happiness. People with a sense of purpose in life are happier in the long run and are more likely to experience happiness and longevity.

So now, if you are to consider your own emotional state, what is your answer to the questions- Are you happy?? Not the kind of happiness that is dependent on reaching a goal or achieving a certain target, but just happy? Do you have a positive mindset which welcomes each day as an opportunity to live and experience the grandeur of life. If yes, then great… you are walking the right path. Congratulations!! … and if not, then what can you do… what concrete steps can you take to turn around your emotional state of being- from sadness to happiness?

Sometimes people confuse between Joy and Happiness… Joy is an inner feeling. Happiness can be expressed in the external world. Joy is a way to internally connect with purpose and meaning. Once we deeply connect with our inner core, then we feel joyful, though our external situation or circumstances could be full of strife and challenges! On the other hand, Happiness usually involves pursuit of ‘something’! This is the real reason why most people define Happiness by saying things like ‘I will be happy when I accomplish this or become that’ and so on…

Joy requires some initial work towards living a ‘Conscious and Connected Life’! It requires us to be mindful, live consciously and connect with our inner being- but once we connect with our higher self, it allows us to endure hardships and trials.

Happiness on the other hand is a choice people make by the other choices they make in their life. Every choice we make is inadvertently linked to our beliefs, ideals, and values! People make a choice to be happy by making purposeful and meaningful choices in their life! Because of this, what can make one person happy is not the same for another people. But where joy is concerned- that is not the case… when we are in-sync with our authentic self, we feel Joyful…

Happiness is often viewed as the opposite to sadness. Though this can be misleading since it is very much possible to feel both ‘happy and sad’ at the same time and many a times, about the same thing! For e.g. you get an exciting new job offer in another state and are happy about leaving the next and exploring the greater outside world… BUT at the same time, you know that you will miss the safety, support and cocoon of being at home with parents. So, in this case, you will be feeling happy and sad about the same topic of taking up a new job away from home.

Joy on the other hand does not have any opposite per se! It springs forth in our mind and heart as pleasant feelings and sensations because of our connection with our true self, making us do activities that are in-sync and in accordance with our genuine authentic self!
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Every person has the ability to establish such a deep connection and feel profound joy in their life!

Conscious living is very much essential in today’s fast moving world. Whenever one starts living consciously, one becomes more aware about one’s own self and being.  

One starts observing situations and analyses the information gathered by the senses. Taking the right decisions at the right situations with right attitude, etc is the outcome of conscious living. The thoughts which were directed towards external objects are diverted inwards. The scattered mind becomes focused mind thus improves the productivity in professional life. 
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Once there is proper intellectual understanding about one’s own mind and being, the fear is driven out from the mind.  The doubts arising out of fear vanishes and the confidence level increases. It happens with both the personal and professional life.  One becomes more aware about the social and family responsibilities. 

The mind automatically starts managing the emotions, expectations, desires. One gets an understanding that he is not limited to this body. It is possible to understand one’s own nature and thus possible to overcome his own limitations and constraints in the character. The level of concentration increases, and one can focus on any aspect according to the situation, without any distraction. 

Conscious living is again a transformation of one’s basic nature and quality of mind. One starts experiencing that the events in the life as just natural happenings and realizes that the body and mind are only the instruments to perform the actions.  Rather than expectations driving the mind, self confidence increases through this process and the individual is driven by confidence and faith.  

Conscious Living must start by synchronizing the body and the mind by being aware on each and every action performed by the body.   This is because, whatever the thoughts arise in the mind, the intellect analyses it and executes through the sense of organs in the body.  Through increased awareness, one thinks a before performing any action thus the intellectual discrimination starts. 

Let it be any situation in the life, one who is sharp only can win the adverse situations by overcoming the difficulties.  The individual is aware about what to talk, when and where.  

Basically, one starts facing the situations wisely. One can use this awareness to increase productivity so as to manage multiple jobs and responsibilities.  The mind becomes free from fear and is equipped to grasp new ideas and concepts.  One starts accepting the situations with the understanding that with the help of the effort put forth, the success comes naturally. One starts accepting failures also by realizing the fact that it is natural and keeps trying for the next chance of success.  

A selfless attitude starts developing internally and a good relationship is established with the fellow beings. One becomes broad minded and is capable of accepting limitations of other individuals. 

Since there is no fear, worries and tensions, there is no mental stress or struggle.  This attitude keeps the diseases away and helps to manage the health in a good way.

​Categories: 
Conscious Living,   Journey To Oneness, Joy And Happiness,   and   Tools And Techniques

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It seems like slowly travel is opening. Particularly as spring approaches and snow starts to melt, it gives us a great opportunity to explore our neighboring areas. Ofcourse this is in the northern hemisphere. But even in the southern experience, as they experience fall, it is a great time to see nature transform and change color!

​If you are able to travel internationally then that ofcourse is an amazing away to explore life experiences. But even taking local road trips can help to open your heart with the exhilarating experience of travel- it will open your heart to fun, thrill, and joy.

Travel has a way of opening us up to the grandeur of life!! It is not just about getting exposure to various people and cultures, their foods and way of life; but the very act of venturing out into the big world, without the comfort of home and the familiarity of known people, has a way of opening up our hearts to trust and surrender- two important states to initiate any kind of spiritual ascension...

Ever looked at a star-studded sky? There is something extremely profound and yet very endearing about it.

It not only conjures up images of love and romance but has the ability of making us feel connected to the Universe- as if, the dots in the sky are a reflection of the dots (situations and events) in our life.

Looking up at the stars inevitably makes us reflect on the grandeur of this Universe and contemplate on who created this vast expanse!!

​We all tend to look at travel brochures and wish that we could take some time off and go somewhere exotic. Travelling has a wonderful way of opening our senses. And particularly after having been couped up for most of last year, people are getting ready to explore more… not just places that are far and wide but also typically ignored places in their neighborhood, in this city or state. 
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There is something very powerful about travelling. It makes us forget the drudgery of our day-to-day existence and takes us beyond all the humdrum of daily life to the vast expansiveness of nature’s creation. When we travel to some place amazing, we cannot but admire how our majestic earth must have been created all those millions… billions… gazillions of years ago. 

We cannot help our self but wonder on how all the rocks must have come together to form giant mountains and how all the water vapors must have condensed to form our huge oceans. 

​Machu Picchu is one such amazing place. Located in Peru, it was home to the Incas. At one time they were very wise and powerful and now they are no more. All that remains are merely structures, trails and archaeological evidence of their once grand existence!

There are many such places, for e.g. Rishikesh in India or the great pyramids where we can almost sense all those people who walked this earth before us.

The grandeur of the structure along with the stories of the rise and fall of various tribes and nations, helps us to recognize not just our mortality, but also realize that ultimately all our strivings, all our achievements are one day going to return to dust from where we came!!
 
Seeing this bigger picture, helps us to view our life in the bigger context- i.e the bigger scheme of things. It is great to work hard and strive for that promotion or want to make that extra money so you can afford a bigger house or that Ferrari, but we realize that ultimately these are all short-lived.

Our world exists, because of 'us'… and it is important to recognize this importance of the 'I' not in terms of egoistic demands as we usually do with a false sense of our own importance, but in terms of our deep and complete existence. And needless to say, our total existence is about our connection with each other- i.e. our consciousness with and within the collective consciousness.

As you are probably getting ready to plan your next vacation in spring, try to visit some place amazing. In fact, why wait till then, if you are not being locked down and if you live close to any magnificent park, mountains, oceans or any place beautiful and natural, then plan to go there over the weekend and just sit back and reflect… on how you fit within the grand scheme of things. How your wants and wishes… your aspirations and ambitions fit into the bigger context of your life on this earth and also how your very existence plays its own role, fits within the grand scheme and context of our collective existence on this planet…

Categories: 
Joy And Happiness ,   Life Adventures   and   Tools And Techniques

Keywords and Tags:
#journeytooneness #artofhappiness #spirituallessons #findinghappiness #happiness #becomminghappy #joyandhappiness #joy #happy #consciousliving  #wholisticlifestyle #naturalliving #tipsforconsciousliving #collectiveconsciousness #consciousness #gaia    #motherearth   #maitreyiparadigm