Science confirms what Buddha knew: happiness

Amber Larson, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; TED Radio Hour (Guy Raz, NPR, Aug. 15, 2014)

Distraction: Hula dancer on dash reminds one of Hawaiian climes on a dreary drive (iStock)

 
Simply Happy

Smile, be happy.

In this hour, finding happiness may be simpler than we think. What if science could find the "secret," and what if that secret had been revealed by the Buddha 26 centuries ago?

 

It happened, it's true, hear the evidence from Matt Killingsworth. But remember, the Buddha went further to define and point the way to complete-happiness (nirvana). Science's find only proves the Buddhist maxim, "There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way!" The way to what? To nirvana, complete happiness usually defined as "the end of all suffering."
  

Why is the Buddha always slightly smiling? (smiledesigners.co.in)

 
What are we searching for? Diversions, distractions, hobbies and thoughts to occupy our mind and time away from this moment... but what if this moment -- right here, right now -- held the secret to happiness? Why are we running, and where do we think we're going? LISTEN to what science discovered coming to us from this edition of the TED Radio Hour.

Is there a secret to happiness? ("Happy," from Despicable Me 2, Pharrell Williams)

Innovative scientist and app creator Matt Killingsworth speaking at TEDx Cambridge in 2011. Are We Happier When We Stay in the Moment? (Thrive/NPR)

What if we slow down? Carl Honoré says we need to slow down if we want to enjoy life.

Does less stuff (and that includes all of our virtual/digital junk) mean more happiness? Graham Hill says we need to declutter our lives.

Psychologist Dan Gilbert at TED: How Does Misfortune Affect Long-Term Happiness?

Brother David Steindl-Rast says taking even a moment to be grateful will make you happy.