A Prescription for Happiness?
If you’re happy, he said, you’re going to be healthier, have better relationships, do good/meaningful work and be successful and abundant — not the other way around.
Scientists, Deepak said, have found a “formula” for happiness. According to their research, happiness depends on 3 things:
Our brain’s set point for happiness. One person sees a problem where another sees an opportunity — some scientists say this is genetically determined. Researchers have shown that practicing meditation can change this biological set-point, along with cognitive therapy (changing your false beliefs that are making you depressed).
Our life situation. Are you healthy, do you have a nice house, did you win the lottery? This has actually found to be a very minor determinant of our happiness. These things can make us happy in the short-term, but down the road we will go back to the happiness set point. 15% of our happiness quotient, Deepak says, is actually based on our life situation.
Our voluntary actions – the choices we make. Making choices that lead to fulfillment, a deeper gratification, really makes us happy. Having a sense of accomplishment, making a difference in the lives of others or in the world, feeling inspired, intuitive, conscious. This can bring great happiness, and research has shown that making other people happy is what makes us the most happy.
From a combination of ancient wisdom and more recent scientific research, Deepak derived his 10 keys to happiness:
1) Be aware of your body. Your body is a cosmic computer of universal intelligence. Listen to the body’s messages of comfort and discomfort and you’ll spontaneously be able to make the right choices.
