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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.
10 things science (and Buddhism) says will make you happy | Wildmind Buddhist Meditation
Seeded on Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:22 AM EST
Article Source: wildmind.org
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I like the correlations the writer has made between Buddhism and the more "scientific" presentation in the Yes Magazine article.
I've been reading a lot about Buddhism lately, chanting alone in my room when no one can hear me. It's making a lot of sense to me. Especially this, which I don't do nearly often enough:
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.”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)
- 3 votes
#1 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:24 AM ESTBeautiful. Savoring a moment instead of rushing through without noticing the dynamics within it takes time. We all seem so rushed. Meditating on this and on love of family and friends, being generous, all so very positive. It helps with the slings and arrows of life to see them as spiritually and emotionally unconnected to us. Hard stuff to do but worth the try. Listening is a really good way to be positive too. Being a presence is often all we need to do.
- 3 votes
I'm definitely working on it. I spend far too much time thinking about the next thing I have to get done, or go do, and I miss what's happening in the present.
- 4 votes
We all live in the fast moving real world, Viki. Setting aside time that works for our schedules is something to look forward to every day. Those moments of meditation will help us to deal with that bustling real world when we most need it. I call it my "time out and in".
- 2 votes
While not religious in any sense ( I am agnostic ) ... the Buddha's teachings , since not a 'religion' , come closest to any sort of logical sense to what may be deemed 'spirituality'. It too has it's shortcomings since it is man inspired as are religions.
for example..
both suffering and joy are realities of life, and both are temporary and fleeting. Such is life. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that "suffering is one aspect of life" rather than that "life is suffering". Therein lies the inaccuracy of this foundational precept of Buddhism.
good and evil / karma ....
many people are 'evil' or commit so and never pay a karmic price. there is no proof of rebirth. ( there are more people on the planet than when Buddha walked it and why would one restrict their next life(s) to come back here ? when the universe is so big ?)
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."
that is true for everyone whether they hold beliefs or not.
- 3 votes
#2 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:16 AM ESTI began meditating over 40 years ago and found that through meditation the world came alive in spirit and clarity. I stopped rabbiting around in the past and instead examined it closely. I refrained from worrying about the future and began living for now. Every day brings something beautiful if we are paying attention and I learned to pay attention.
This is a great article, Viki, especially now when so much of life could cause discontentment and frustration. Thanks.
- 2 votes
#3 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:06 PM ESTBuddhism and actually the AA program both strive to teach you to live in the now. If you can find absolute joy in everything, both that seen generally as positive and negative, you can be a very happy camper throughout your life.
- 2 votes
#4 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:18 PM ESTI generally find joy in both the positives and negatives of life, though I certainly have to work at it. It's the living in the now I struggle with.
- 3 votes
This is understandable. We look back, we look forward. I wish you a moment every day that is just for you, now, a sacred 'place' for yourself.
- 1 vote
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