Happiness & Well-being

37
Happiness & Well-Being (37 slides) Wim Vanhooff

Transcript of Happiness & Well-being

Happiness & Well-Being

(37 slides)

Wim Vanhooff

On HappinessFirst we’ll see three definitions:

● Buddhism● Hedonic vs eudaimonic well-being● Positive psychology

Then I’ll present my own approach

Buddhism

(3 slides)

The Four Noble Truths of the BuddhaBuddhism is a life philosophy having “Four Noble Truths”:

1. Life is Dukkha (=suffering)2. Dukkha arises from craving and aversion3. Dukkha can be eliminated4. … by following the Eightfold Path.

Thus, happiness is the absence of suffering

On SufferingThe causes of suffering:

● Attainment of pleasure (craving)● Avoidance of pain (aversion)

Suffering = pain x resistance

The reason: everything is impermanent

The CureThe cure: the Eightfold Path, divided in three categories:

● Wisdom● Ethical conduct● Mental cultivation

The goal: by following the Path, your Karma will improve, ultimately resulting in Enlightenment and breaking free from the cycle of Samsara (birth, life, death)

Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Well-

Being

(4 slides)

According to Ancient GreeceThe Greek philosophers distinguish two types of well-being:

● Hedonic: attainment of pleasure and avoidance of pain● Eudaimonic: focus on meaning and self-realization

Hedonic Well-being● Maximize net pleasure = pleasure minus pain● Satisfaction with various domains of life.

Eudaimonic Well-being● Sense of control or autonomy● Feeling of meaning and purpose● Personal expressiveness● Feelings of belongingness● Social contribution● Competence● Personal growth● Self-acceptance.

Eudaimonic Well-beingTwo pathways:

● Personal development: try to be the best “you” while accepting you aren’t perfect

● Transcendence: transcending the personal for the sake of something larger than oneself, without losing oneself, leading to some external utility of one's life○ children○ meaningful work○ wider community○ spirituality○ ...

Positive Psychology

(4 slides)

Positive PsychologyPositive psychology describes three overlapping areas:

● The pleasant life: pursue positive feelings● The good/engaged life: use your strengths to obtain

gratification● The meaningful life: use your strengths in the service of

something much larger.

The Pleasant Life● Pursue positive feelings about the past, present, future● Maximise positive feelings and minimise negative feelings● Similar to hedonic well-being.

The Good/Engaged Life● Use your strengths & virtues to obtain gratification in

the main realms of your life● Be actively involved in life and all that it demands● Apply your best during challenging activities that result

in growth and a feeling of competence and satisfaction● Barometer = state of “flow”: the process of being

immersed and absorbed in the task at hand.

The Meaningful Life● Meaning is the process of having a higher purpose in life

than one’s self● Like the good life, apply your strengths & virtues in

activities, but the difference is that these activities are perceived to contribute to the greater good.

My Own Approach

(11 slides)

My Own ApproachThese five pillars...

● Essence of Buddhism● Self-care & self-acceptance● Increasing awareness● Living passionately● Finding meaning in life

... result in nine practical elements of a happy life that you need to turn into habits

Element 1: Practice Self-Care● Exercise regularly● Eat healthy and balanced● Rest when tired● Sleep well● In short: listen to your body.

Your reward: a sense of inner gratitude

Element 2: Live in the Here and Now● Be aware of where your thoughts are (past/present/future)● Feel the sensations in your body● Use your senses as gateway to the here and now● Pay attention to your emotions in the moment● Don’t sidestep difficult emotions● Stop the chatter in your mind on a regular basis● Slow down.

Element 3: Know and Accept Yourself● Learn about your specific needs● Find your core values● Understand and accept your personal history● Identify internalized beliefs● Know when you’ve entered “victim mode”● Really believe you are enough.

Element 4: Be Authentic● Stand up for your needs● Don’t be afraid to be “different”● Have the courage to be vulnerable● Drop your mask(s).

Your reward: a sense of freedom

Element 5: Live Your Purpose● Think about the impact you want to create in your life● Pursue what makes your heart beat faster● Notice what gets you out of bed in the morning● Determine what you want to be remembered for.

Your reward: a sense of direction

Element 6: Keep Learning● Seek mental challenges● Use failure for good● Find inspiration in others' success.

Element 7: Connect With Your Tribe● Spend time with like-minded people● Share your weaknesses with those you trust● Find the shared humanity in all of us

Your reward: a sense of belonging

Element 8: Use Your Strengths● Believe in your natural abilities● Use your best traits in different ways.

Element 9: Help Others● Help others in small and big ways● Share your experience and “wisdom”● Use your strengths in service of others● Wish for others to transcend you.

Recap1. Practice self-care2. Live in the here and now3. Know and accept yourself4. Be authentic5. Live your purpose6. Keep learning7. Connect with your tribe8. Use your strengths9. Help others.

Credit WhereCredit Is Due

(5 slides)

Ancient Wisdom“Everyone is a house with four rooms: a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.”

- Indian proverb

Bronnie Ware on the Regrets of the Dying1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself,

not the life others expected of me.2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

(Source: Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse)

Alain de Botton on The Meaning of Life

(00:01:15)

Brené Brown on Vulnerability

(00:20:50)

Susanna Halonen on Passion

(00:12:28)

Final Inspiration

(1 slides)

Mahatma Gandhi:

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what

you do are in harmony."

Thank you(and please: do more of what makes you happy!)