The Pursuit of Happiness: A Timeless Inquiry

Happiness is a recurring theme in my work, making it even more gratifying when the Catholic Film Institute requested a study guide for the well-crafted short film GOOD LUCK.

If you, too, are intrigued by happiness in both its grand and subtle forms, this article may offer some inspiration.

The Meaning of Happiness

The question of what happiness means has accompanied humanity for centuries.

Happiness derives from the English word “happy,” which in turn comes from the Old Norse word “happ.”

“Happ” originally meant:

• chance

• good fortune

• fate

From this root, several English words developed, including:

• happen (to occur)

• perhaps (from per haps, meaning “by chance”)

• mishap (misfortune)

Important:

In English, happiness originally referred to chance or fortune, not an emotional state. It was only in the 17th and 18th centuries that the meaning gradually shifted toward:

inner well-being, contentment, and life satisfaction

Luck is unpredictable, such as winning the lottery in GOOD LUCK. Avoiding misfortune by chance or being born with a particular talent also falls into this category. Various philosophical perspectives on happiness have evolved throughout history:

Thinker	Perspective on Happiness
Plato	Participation and involvement
Augustine	God’s presence and service to others
Aristotle	Virtue and excellence
Thomas Aquinas	Following divine commandments
Pico della Mirandola	The individual as the source of happiness
Martin Luther	God’s grace
Rene Descartes	Contentment
Immanuel Kant	Duty
Epicurus	Serenity and physical well-being
Thomas Hobbes	Following desires
John Locke	Maximizing pleasure
David Hume	What benefits all

Happiness from a Scientific Perspective

Scientific disciplines have explored happiness from various angles. Evolutionary biology does not suggest that living beings consciously seek happiness, yet pleasurable experiences appear crucial for survival. "You are born a winner," claim the authors of The Reenergize Formula, based on evolutionary biology.

Humans tend to repeat pleasant experiences and avoid negative ones. The limbic system in the brain plays a key role, comparing stimuli with stored experiences, assessing them, and triggering neurotransmitter activity. Dopamine and serotonin are closely linked to happiness, while endorphins contribute to positive emotions. Oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone," is released during social bonding. Even recalling joyful memories or engaging in positive imagination can stimulate these neurotransmitters, enhancing well-being.

The Social Component of Happiness

Psychological research confirms that social connections play a crucial role in happiness. Positive social experiences enhance resilience, helping individuals cope with negative events. The field of attachment theory, pioneered by Bowlby and Ainsworth, has demonstrated that early secure attachments lead to greater resilience and a higher likelihood of positive life experiences. Emmy Werner’s longitudinal study in Hawaii reinforced these findings, identifying stable relationships as a leading factor in lifelong happiness.

Self-Efficacy and Societal Factors

From sociological and physiological perspectives, self-efficacy—the ability to influence one’s environment—emerges as a key factor in happiness. Studies show that individuals with greater autonomy in their work and personal lives report higher life satisfaction and even longer life expectancy. Societal participation and co-determination rights are essential conditions for happiness.

Yet, happiness can also be cultivated despite challenging circumstances. Faith, for example, can offer hope in adversity. Practices like prayer and meditation contribute to moments of bliss, forming new neural pathways that facilitate further positive experiences. Psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and educational approaches provide avenues for corrective relational experiences that foster well-being.

Happiness Practices Across Cultures

The Dalai Lama emphasizes that cultivating positive mental states while challenging negative ones is essential for happiness. Ancient philosophical schools developed exercises to reduce greed and envy, akin to practices in various religious traditions and yoga philosophy.

A notable study on trauma and resilience in Israel examined three population groups exposed to violence. The group with the highest religiosity and greatest exposure to violence exhibited the lowest trauma-related symptoms, while those with low religiosity and less exposure showed the strongest anxiety symptoms. This suggests that intrinsic faith, as emphasized by psychiatrist Raphael Bonelli, may enhance resilience.

Neuroscientific research also underscores the mind-body connection in happiness. Exercise, exposure to nature, and sensory experiences—such as smelling, tasting, and listening—enhance well-being. Practices like forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) have gained traction as modern therapies for happiness.

Flow and the Art of Living

Engaging in activities that align with personal inclinations significantly contributes to happiness. Mihály Csikszentmihalyi introduced the concept of "flow," a state of deep absorption in an activity that balances challenge and skill. His research across diverse populations found that the happiest individuals dedicate themselves to a higher purpose.

Happiness guides frequently recommend daily rituals to reinforce positive experiences. Gratitude exercises, for example, can be practiced alone or with family, recorded in journals, or shared in conversations.

The Role of Money in Happiness

Financial security plays a role in well-being by providing stability and enabling positive experiences. However, studies suggest that beyond a certain income level, additional earnings do not significantly increase happiness. A 1998 London study found that countries with less industrialization ranked highest in happiness. Later research by social psychologist Adrian White, incorporating health, wealth, and education, produced a global happiness map. Less densely populated nations, such as Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, and Canada, ranked among the happiest.

Education and Happiness

The approach to happiness has shifted from seeking objective measures to focusing on individual perspectives. Notably, in 2007, Fritz-Schubart introduced "happiness" as a school subject in Heidelberg. Research showed that students who participated developed stronger self-esteem, greater optimism, and improved social skills. Today, 40 schools in Germany and 140 in Austria offer happiness courses.

Erich Fromm once said, "Happiness is not a gift from the gods, but the fruit of an inner attitude." Following this philosophy, initiatives like the Ministry of Happiness in Vienna help individuals, schools, and businesses cultivate personal happiness.

Opportunities to explore happiness abound, whether through retreats, yoga sessions, or team coaching programs. Finding personal joy in activities that align with individual values and passions remains the key to long-term fulfillment.

Join me for a Yoga Session and Explore the Impact on Your Happiness Level!

Are you curious to see how yoga can influence your overall sense of well-being? Come and try out a relaxing and energizing yoga session! Together, we'll explore how this ancient practice can help you connect with your body and mind, all while potentially boosting your happiness and inner peace.

Take a moment to check in with yourself and see if yoga brings a shift in your happiness level.

No experience required – just bring an open mind and comfortable clothing.

I am looking forward to seeing you on the mat!

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Try the HAPPINESS Meditation:

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Quellennachweise: [i] https://www.wissen.de/wortherkunft/glueck [ii] Wirthgen, Monika [online] https://www.gluecksarchiv.de/inhalt/philosophie_denkrichtungen.htm [iii] Janßen, Simone; Hobacher, Niklas (2019): Die Reenergize Formel. Der evolutionäre Baukasten für Energie und Glück. Topicus Verlag [iv] Hüther, Gerald (2011): Was wir sind und was wir sein könnten. Fischer Verlag [v] Grossmann, Karin; Grossmann, Klaus (Hrsg.) (2020): Bindung und menschliche Entwicklung: John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth und die Grundlagen der Bindungstheorie. Klett-Cotta Verlag [vi] Zander, Margherita (2011): Handbuch Resilienzförderung. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften [vii] Klein, Stefan (2002): Die Glücksformel. Oder wie die guten Gefühle entstehen. Fischer Verlag [viii] Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler: Die Schulung des Geistes für das Glück. Zit. n. Andrea Löhndorf (Hrsg.): Glück. Ein Lesebuch zur Lebenskunst. dtv Taschenbuch [ix] Matar; Kaplan; Kamin; Sadan; Cohen (2005): Stress-related responses after 3 years of exposure to terror in Israel: are ideological-religious factors associated with resilience? J Clin Psychiatrie. 66 (9): 1146-54 [x] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm5yNjKqws0 [xi] Ehlers, Rolf (2012): Wohlfühlhormon Serotonin – Botenstoff des Glücks: der körpereigene Aufbau durch native Kost. Via Nova Verlag [xii] Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly (2019): Flow und Kreativität: Wie Sie Ihre Grenzen überwinden und das Unmögliche schaffen. Klett-Cotta Verlag [xiii] Horngacher, Hannes (2018): Neuroleading: Praktische Tipps zum gehirngerechten Führen von Teams. Gehirn-Wissen-Kompakt [xiv] https://www.finanzgrundlagen.de/finanzielle-freiheit/finanzielle-freiheit-erreichen [xv] Aknin, Lara B.; Norton, Michael I.; Dunn, Elizabeth W. (2009): From wealth to well-being? Money matters, but less than people think. In: The Journal of Positive Psychology. Band 4, Nr. 6 [xvi] https://www.deutschland.de/de/topic/wissen/glueck-als-schulfach-in-deutschland [xvii] https://ruhewerk.de/seminare/gluecksseminar-im-kloster/ [xviii] Zum Beispiel https://retreat.bohobeautiful.tv/ oder einzelne Yogakurse zum Ausprobieren: https://www.flowintoo.com [xix] https://www.innovation-bba.com/innovation-auszeit-wissen