Happiness

“Happiness” is hypothetical but a useful concept in positive psychology. Happiness is a pleasant emotion and has very personal meaning for each of us. Scientists are now trying to explain it in an objective way. They classified happiness into three broad levels that represent dimensions from surface (superficial) to deep feeling of wellness (bliss). On surface level it is called “pleasant life” that mean a person appreciate and savour the basic pleasures such as companionship, natural environment and satisfaction of body needs i.e. food, sleep and sex etc. The next level is “Good Life” where one discovers his unique virtue and strength by employing them creatively to enhance quality of life. The example of this type of happiness is a musician who use his talent to create a peaceful and soothing piece of music that give him immense satisfaction.

The highest level is “Meaningful Life” that mean a deep sense of fulfilment by employing our unique strength for the purpose greater than ourselves. Here a person get happiness through employing efforts for making others life peaceful and happy. Example may be a scientist who discovered drug to cue illness or philosopher/saint who transforms others life.

Most of us, are striving for level I happiness and the other two can be achieved only when first level is achieved. All type of happiness brings positive emotions that are extremely necessary for a sound mental and physical health. When there is deprivation of happiness it leads to various illnesses like hearth diseases, hypertension, depression, anxiety, somatisation etc.  Introspection about what makes us happy is the first step to achieve happiness. Self regulation, self monitoring and healthy life style will definitely bring positive results in making life more happy and meaningful.

KARMA: THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

“Karma” or Action on which Bhagwan Krishana persistently emphasized when delivered Geeta Updesh to Arjun. He explained that the most important “Dharma” or deed of all organisms on this earth is “Karma”. A bird’s karma is to search for food, feed its little babies and train them to fly high in the sky. A tiger or loin’s karma is to hunt, arrange food for self and their cubs or to defend its territory. The same rule applies for human beings. A child karma’s is to study hard and make his own path, a household woman should take care of her house and family members, a man’s karma  is to do work and earn for his family, a teacher must teach with dedication to students, a doctor has to treat his patient selflessly etc. In this way nature has assigned role for every one in this universe. Even the sun or the moon or the wind or ocean has their karmas and they are performing according to the role assigned to them.

While preaching “Arjun” at battle ground of “Kurukshtera” Bhagwan Krishna clearly told that at this juncture your karma is to fight regardless of what your relation with your enemies and while doing this you will perform your true dharma. One more beautiful phrase he added “submission of your good or bad karmas to me” or do not worry about what reward you will get for your karmas. It’s really true we are not the right person to judge if our karmas are good or bad. All what we are defining is as per our own convenience or as per the convenience of society that’s called man made norms.

When we expect reward of our karmas according to our own definition and when it’s not happens as per our expectations, we get frustration, become anxious and fell into depression. Anxiety disorders occur out of the fear, that we will be punished for our bad karmas.  Definition of those good or bad karmas is sometimes seems very illogical. Hence, setting himself free from logical fear is the path to happiness, which is possible when we follow the true philosophy of the karmas given by Lord Krishna.

Ego Strength

In psychology meaning of ego is not same as we take in day to day life i.e. pride, loftiness or something equal to arrogant attitude. According to Sigmund Freud, human personality consists of three elements: the id, ego and superego. Id means all instinctual drives, primal, biological urges and desires such as hunger, sex, anger and seeking immediate gratification. It is assumed that Id works on pleasure principle and wants to satisfy its impulses at any cost. On the other hand superego consists of internalized standards and rules that we acquire from our parents, family, society and culture. It is that part of our personality which pressurizes our Id and demand to behave morally.

Finally ego is that component of personality which acts as buffer between Id and superego. It mediates between inhibited urges and desires and unrealistic heavy demands of morality. In other words ego regulate our uncontrolled impulses at the one end and undue pressures of standards and norms on the other end and let the id to satisfy its needs in an realistic way. Ego works on reality principle.

Thus ego strength is the ability of the ego to deal effectively with both demands of primitive instinctual drives (id) and unrealistic moral values (superego). Those with little ego strength are unable to restrict or regulate their impulses thus always give preference to self pleasure and interests. They show characteristics of a narcissistic personality. On the other hand persons with very high ego strength are too rigid, perfectionist, inflexible and carry very conservative and restrictive attitude. They always suppress their impulses and generally having feeling of guilt in their mind. These individuals are prone of high anxiety and obsessive compulsive features.

SIMPLE MANTRA OF HAPPINESS

When I was studying Forensic Science at Punjabi University, Patiala our professors used to say that the basic of forensic science is the uniqueness of happening of each event. Once a professor explained if you fire 5 bullets at once from same pistol there will be different marks on each shell of the bullet; and that why experts find  clues while investigations.

In our nature each and every person is unique. Each of us has different experiences.  This difference occurs not only at broader level but also at micro level. DNA which is the smallest unit of organism varies in each person.  Each of us possesses different pool of genes that make us different from others. If you analysis leaves of a single tree you find each leaf differ from other.

But all of us are trying to imitate each other. We are not satisfied because what other possess, that is not with us. A child cry because his brother or sister has candy or toy of different colour or shape, adolescents annoy on their parents because they are not providing them with those facilities which their classmates or friends enjoying. We want to choose our course or career what the other are choosing. We want to achieve those things which other are achieving. We never introspect our potential, our resources, our abilities or our interests. We want to sail on the other’s boat. We want to ride on the bus other are riding although we have different destination. This sameness is the cause of our dissatisfaction, our unhappiness.

Why there are several colours in a rainbow? Why nature has created different species of flowers, plants, animals and birds. Why there are different seasons? Why there are different variety of vegetables, fruits and tastes. Obviously variations create balance. Different note of sound produce beautiful composition. With different colours an artist can create a beautiful picture.

Thus the beauty of life is in uniqueness, not in sameness. If we are able to understand this fact, we can make ourselves happy. We will experience completeness or supremacy. Only with this acceptance we will able to focus on our path and will able to achieve our goals. This will enlighten our mind and a feeling of self actualization.