This book contains contributions from diverse perspectives and traditions that focus on reflections and happiness practices. It addresses diversity in happiness and eastern and western thoughts and practices by contributing authors from around the world from varied backgrounds. The book provides ample avenue for readers and researchers to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of various aspects of happiness culturally and conceptually. It opens opportunities for exploring and understanding how happiness can be practiced, experienced, taught, and learned in various contexts, thus assisting both educators and interested readers to create opportunities for themselves or their students to engage in diverse and creative happiness explorations. This book is a crucial resource for teachers, educators, students, and researchers involved in the science and practice of happiness. It enables them to find new avenues to understand happiness from different perspectives, understanding inner and outer spaces and other dimensions of happiness. It serves as an essential reference for academicians in related fields of psychology, such as cross-cultural, social, and developmental, as well as in the upcoming field of happiness studies.
Author(s): Saamdu Chetri (editor), Tanusree Dutta (editor), Manas Kumar Mandal (editor), Priyadarshi Patnaik (editor)
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 539
Foreword
Introduction
Contents
About the Editors
Abbreviations
Part I Inner and Outer Spaces
1 Happiness Research from the Psychological Perspective: Thoughts of an Optimist
Meaningfulness of Happiness Research
Concepts of Happiness
Philosophical (Spiritual-Religious) Perspective of Happiness
Psychological Perspective of Happiness
Economic Views of Happiness
Measurement of Happiness
The Role of Cultural Influences on Happiness
Major Correlates of Happiness
Economic Factors and Happiness
Equality, Social Justice, and Happiness
Prosocial behaviour/Altruism and Happiness
Happiness and Gratitude
Personality Correlates of Happiness
Summary and Concluding Note
Issues in Happiness for Further Research
References
2 Blissful Space Within and Without: Explorations Through Mandala and Vastu
Space, Happiness, and the Contemporary Context
Theorising and Practising Inner and Outer Spaces: An Overview
Theorising Spaces Exterior and Interior
Cosmic Space
Interior Space
Convergences and Transcendences
Practising Spaces: Journeys
Practising Interior Spaces: Meditative Traditions, Mandals, and Yantras
Practising Exterior Spaces: Architecture and Vastupurusamandala
Convergence and Self-similarity: Manifest-Unmanifest, Exterior-Interior, Large-Small
Spaces: Secular, Sacred, and Cosmic
Modern Relevance and Reflections
References
3 Self-Architecture for Sukha: Mind++ for Integral Wellbeing
Selected Indic Concepts of Happiness
Etymology of Sukha and Its Implications
Self-Architecture Using Yogic Techniques
Self-Architecture at the Annamayakośa Level
Self-Architecture at the Prānamayakośa Level
Self-Architecture at the Manomayakośa Level
Self-Architecture at the Vijñānamayakośa and Ānandamayakośa Levels
Self-Architecture for External Spaces
Conclusion
References
4 Harmony Theory: Positive Organisation with Philosophical Foundations
Part 1: Philosophy and Foundations of the Positive
Fiat Lux—Let There Be Light!
Interaction, Relationship, and Positivity
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Order, Entropy, and Social Entropy
Happiness and Well-being
Part 2: Organisation Culture and Positive Organisation
Characteristics of the Positive Organisations
Part 3: Pragmatics of Positive Organisation, Happiness, and Wellbeing
The Harmony Theory of Positive Organisation
Leadership, Social Negative Entropy, and Social Sustainability
References
5 Public Health as a Paradigm for Happiness: Understanding Vaccine Impact
Public Health Defined
Interpreting Vaccine Impact
Measles Eradication 2020 Derailed: No Man is an Island
Outbreak, Ebola in the DRC 2019: Global Investment in a Vaccine for a Deadly Virus
Global Polio Eradication 2019 Community Engagement on a Global Scale
Conclusion
References
6 Linguistic and Cultural Exploration of the Indian Concept of Happiness
Happiness and Its Definition Across the World
The Indian Construct of Happiness
The Contemporary Context
References
Part II Innovative Dimension
7 Gross National Happiness: The Interdependent Domains of Happiness
Origin of GNH
Rationale of GNH
Nine Domains of GNH
Environmental Preservation and Promotion
Good Governance
Cultural Preservation and Promotion
Sustainable and Equitable Socio-Economic Development
Application and Outcome of GNH in Bhutan
GNH Beyond Bhutan
Criticism of GNH
The Future of GNH
References
8 A New Economy for Happiness
The Current Economic System and the Real-World Problems: A Reflection
Present Economic Paradigm and its Outcomes
What Are the Ailments of the Current Economic Paradigm?
Buddhist and Gandhian (Hindu) Economics: A Possible Remedy?
Buddhist Economics
Gandhian (Hindu) Economics
Inward and Outward Crises
Physical Versus Psychological Wellbeing
Constant Pursuit and Fulfilment of Desire/Pleasure
Sensory Value Versus Eternal Value
Holistic Approach to the Transformation of Human Mind and New Economy for Happiness
Transformation of Human Mind
The Right Kind of Education
The Right Livelihood
Concluding Remarks
References
9 Happiness and Hope in Education
Happiness
Beyond Transactional Analysis Towards Educational Transactional Analysis
The Problem with Wellbeing
Being Well in the World
Natality
Conclusion
References
10 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Social-ecological Wellbeing
A Social-ecological Perspective on Wellbeing
Key Dimensions Useful to Study Social-ecological Wellbeing
The Drivers of SEWB
Governing Social-ecological Wellbeing
Summing Up
References
11 Post-capitalism: Towards Social and Ecological Wellbeing
The Diagnosis: Wetiko Capitalism and Sad Leaves
Social Movements as an Immune System Response
Learning to Stay with the Trouble
Postcapitalism: Towards Social and Ecological Wellbeing
References
12 The Constant of Happiness and Comparative Ecologies
Breakfast with the Birds, Napo River, Peru
The Vertical Rivers and the River Beneath the Amazon
The Superorganism of Earth Research and Restoration
The Speak of the Waters
Behavioural Economics
Human Monocultures to Integrative Design, Syntony, and Wellbeing
A Non-human Species that Projects Love and Compassion
Electrophotonic Analysis for Validating Textile to Body Health
Ecocide Law: The Bridge for the Protection of Earth
Indigenous Collectives and Natural Law
References
13 The Economy of Happiness: An Exploration for Guiding Principles
The Commons
Inspired by Nature
Physics First, Alongside Geometry and Mathematics
Resilience Through Diversity
Beyond Biodegradable and Certified Organics
The Framework
Interconnected Problems Are Portfolios of Opportunities
Put Nature Back on Its Evolutionary Path
Keep the Commons Free and Clean
Basic Needs First, Reaching All
Use What You Have
Replace Something with Nothing
Everything Has Value and Everyone Creates Value
Personal and Regional Development
Economies of Scope
One Initiative, Multiple Cash Flows, and Multiple Benefits
Vertically Integrated Primary and Secondary Sectors
Management Rich in Opportunities
Decision-Making
Ethics at the Core
Health and Happiness
References
14 What if Happytalism Becomes the Next Step of Human Existence?
What is Happytalism?
Happytalism Can Change Everything
The Biology of Beliefs
Break Away from the Old
The Importance of Radical Change in Our Belief System
The Conscious, Subconscious, Unconscious, and the Collective Unconsciousness —How It All Works
The Human Mind Explained
The Importance of the Conscious Mind
The Importance of the Subconscious Mind
The Importance of the Unconscious Mind
Quantum Mechanics is the Base that Connects Science with Spirituality
What is Quantum Mechanics?
What Does This Connection Mean?
Energy and the Basics of Life on Earth
How Does Physics Define Energy?
Energy, Quantum Mechanics, and the Mind
How Do Our Thoughts Condition Our Life: The Mind and the Brain?
What is the Role of Our Brain in Our Happiness?
The Three Frames of Mind
How Do Our Thoughts Condition Our Lives?
The Science Behind Happiness and Wellbeing—Positive Psychology Movement
Is There Really a Science Behind Happiness and Wellbeing?
What is the Positive Psychology Theory?
How Can the PERMA Model Help Us Be Happy?
Can We All Reach Happiness?
We Can Manage Our Mental Health by Managing Our Thoughts
Economy as an Enabler of Happiness
The Trap of the Current Economy and GDP
How Does Behavioural Economy Work?
How Does Circular Economy Work?
Why Do We Need to Rethink the Economic Systems We Have in Place?
New Education Systems Based on Socio-emotional Intelligence
Social-emotional Learning in Schools
A One-Off Program or Continued Socio-emotional Education?
Why School Might Be the Place for Learning Socio-Emotional Intelligence
Is It Worth It to Transition to a Socio-emotional Learning Curriculum?
The Importance of Belonging and Building Communities and Relationships to Create Prosperous Societies
How Does the Quality of Our Personal Relationships Affect Our Lives?
Finding a Sense of Belonging in a Community
How Does Belonging Affect Our Wellbeing?
Completing the Journey and Becoming a Happytalist
How Do We Change Our Belief System so Radically?
What is the Force that Connects Us All?
How Can We Change Our Society?
How Do We Become Happier?
References
Part III Gratification in Practice
15 From Stress to Happiness
Defining Happiness
The Biology of Stress
Attachment and Stress
Personality and Stress
The Workplace and Stress
Cognitive Approaches
Movement and Nature
Mindfulness Meditation
Resilience
Case Studies
Conclusions
References
16 Is There a Positive Correlation Between Forgiveness and Happiness?
Happiness and Forgiveness
Forgiveness Research and Its Relevance to a Particular Methodology
Happiness and Forgiveness
Happy Attitude Versus Happy Altitude
Can We Do Happy?
Blocks to Learning How to Forgive
How to Forgive
Summary
Conclusion
References
17 Happiness: Developing Skills for Meditation
Gross National Happiness and the Inner Dimensions of Happiness
The Deeper Meaning of ‘Happiness.’
Happiness Skills: Skills That Can Be Learned
Emotions as Seeds in Consciousness: The Baobab and the Rose
The Anthropological Foundation of Meditation
Meditation in Spiritual Traditions
Various Practices of Meditation
Mindfulness
Loving-Kindness
Shamata (Calming the Mind—Adapted from Files of Mindful Community)
Vipassana (Insight)
Meditation in Modern Society
The Mindfulness Movement
Mindfulness in the Age of Attention Economics
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Scientific Research on Meditation and Its Application
The Science of Mindfulness
Meditation in Education
Mindfulness in the Classroom in the Age of Digital Technology
The Happy Schools Project in Vietnam
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the Classroom
Empathy
Meditation in Business
A Shift in Consciousness
The Happy BITIS Project
From Happy Individuals to a Happy Organisation
Conclusion
References
18 A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Wellbeing in Dying
Case Study: A Good Death
The Importance of Shonali’s Story
The Cost of Unplanned Loss
Case Study
Death and Human Connection
Institutionalised Dignity
The Individual
The Caregiver
Accepting the Dualities
Initiative 1
Initiative 2
Initiative 3
Initiative 4
Initiative 5
Framework for Wellbeing
In Conclusion: Begin, in Order to End
References
19 Communication, Happiness, and Wellbeing
An Overview of Communication
What is Communication?
A Look at Human Communication
Communication Process
Communication Process Model
Ancient Heritage for Communication Principles
Communication and Happiness
Communication and Wellbeing
Social Wellbeing
Health-Related Wellbeing
Psychological Wellbeing
Friendship and Happiness
Some Suspects of Communication and Happiness
Expressing Gratitude
Cultivating Optimism
Acts of Kindness
Self-Control and Happiness
Power of Forgiveness
Power of Silence and Happiness
Let Us Give Our Minds a Break
Relationship and Happiness
Communicating Clearly in a Relationship
Conclusions
References
20 The Economics of Happiness: An Experience from Ladakh
Tradition
Strong Social Cohesion
Deep Connection to Nature
Meaningful Livelihoods
A Slower Pace of Life
A Sense of Security
Healthy Food and an Unpolluted Environment
Regular Exercise
Participatory Singing, Dancing, and Music-Making
Spirituality
Change
The Global Picture—Learning from Ladakh
Localisation—The Economics of Happiness
Reflections: Ladakh Today
References
21 Characteristics of Happy People
Part I
Recollection of Early Positive Memories
Part II
Mapping Common Traits of Happiness
The Ten Factor Model of Happiness
Intellectual Curiosity
Enthusiasm
Compassion
Gratitude
Optimism
Authenticity
Adaptability
Contentment
Focus
Multiform Facets of Positive Personalities
Frequently Asked Questions About Happy People
Conclusion
References
Glossary
Index
