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The belief that we should strive to be happy all of the time, without giving acknowledgement to grief, fear, anger or sadness, will throw us out of balance. To not experience these other emotions is unhealthy. Learning to allow all emotions to flow through us without denying any one emotion will lead to harmony. This is a great lesson and it will lead to greater strength and balance.
Happiness transcends mere pleasure or emotional highs. In religious, spiritual, and metaphysical traditions, happiness is viewed as a deeper state of being; one that arises from realising who we truly are, divine connection, and inner peace.
Regardless of whether your faith and beliefs lead you through surrendering to God’s will, achieving enlightenment, or aligning with the universe’s energy, true happiness is about living authentically, in harmony with the self, the divine, and the world.
By cultivating spiritual practices such as mindfulness, compassion, gratitude, Qigong, and self-awareness, we can tap into a sustained sense of joy and contentment that goes beyond the fleeting nature of worldly happiness.
Please forgive the over simplification here that is used to illustrate the similarities in these approaches to happiness.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of the "blessed" (which we can translate as "happy" or "joyous") in the Beatitudes, which comment that true happiness comes from virtues like humility, mercy, and peacemaking, rather than external wealth or status. Happiness is equated to spiritual richness and moral goodness.
True joy (often equated with deep happiness) is seen as a fruit of the Spirit, a deep state that arises from communion with God. This type of joy is considered transcendent, enduring even through suffering, as it is rooted in faith and divine relationship rather than external circumstances.
The Buddha's teachings revolve around understanding the causes of suffering and the path to liberation from it. Happiness is not a fleeting emotional state but the liberation from attachments to trivial things and desires that possess us and bind our minds to suffering.
In Buddhism, the path to happiness is often referred to as the Middle Way, which avoids extremes of indulgence and self-denial. Instead advocating balance, mindfulness, and compassion as the key components of a happy, peaceful life. Practices like meditation, ethical livelihood, and moral conduct are given as pathways to cultivating lasting happiness and inner peace.
Hinduism: In Hinduism, happiness is understood through the lens of self-realisation and moksha ( liberation). Hindu philosophy teaches that true happiness is attained when we recognise our Atman (soul or true self) as one with Brahman (the universal consciousness), or indeed the Paramatman (supreme self or source consciousness). This realisation that should become a deep knowing, transcends material pleasures and aligns us with the eternal, unchanging reality of the cosmos.
In Hindu teachings, Ananda refers to the state of bliss that arises from self-realisation. It is a profound spiritual happiness that comes from knowing oneself as divine and connected to the ultimate reality.
Hinduism also teaches that living in accordance with our dharma (spiritual duty) and performing good karma (actions) will lead to happiness. So when we align our actions with ethical and spiritual principles, we will cultivate harmony and contentment both in this life and future incarnations.
The teachings state that worldly pleasures are temporary and that enduring happiness lies in a deep connection with God. Believers are encouraged to practice gratitude (shukr), patience (sabr), and trust in God’s wisdom, the source of everything. This will produce a contentment that leads to inner peace and satisfaction, regardless of our external circumstances.
Ultimate happiness, or 'Earthly happiness', is viewed as a precursor to the eternal happiness that awaits those who live righteously after they pass.
While modern science focuses on the neurological and psychological aspects of happiness, TCM has a more holistic perspective. Happiness, like all emotions, is linked to the balance and flow of Qi within the body. Each emotion is associated with specific organs, and happiness is primarily connected to the Heart.
A harmonious heart allows us to experience contentment, inner peace, and happiness. This balanced joy is not overwhelming or excessive but rather a calm and steady state of well-being. On the other hand, prolonged or excessive joy can scatter Qi and overstimulate the Heart, which can lead to restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and even physical symptoms like palpitations or blackouts.
Balance is seen as the key to happiness. In the same way that too much sadness can deplete the lungs, too much joy can deplete the Heart’s energy. For example, intense laughter can make it difficult to lift a heavy object because the body’s Qi is scattered. This scattering weakens the mind (considered to reside in the Heart in TCM and Vedic traditions) and can lead to disorders of the spirit, including manic-depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
When the Heart is calm and balanced, we can connect to universal love and acceptance, aligning our true essence with the natural world. This state of inner harmony is considered the ultimate form of happiness, where we are not ruled by fleeting emotions but anchored in a deep sense of peace and joy.
In TCM, emotions are not isolated experiences but are deeply connected to the health of the internal organs. Each emotion has a corresponding organ that is either nourished by the emotion in moderation or damaged by it when experienced in excess. The five primary emotions are joy, sadness, anger, worry, and fear, each with specific effects on the body:
These emotions are integral to a full, healthy life, and when allowed to flow naturally, they contribute to overall well-being. They can also be used positively to alter our state of being:
LU 1 (Letting Go Point): Firmly push where your fingers land on your ribcage, on the outer portion of the chest, below the collarbone. Pressing these two points at the same time is called the “Letting Go” point.
Helps you open up your chest and breathe more deeply, and will help you to release any anxiety and negative feelings that you are experiencing.
As the emotions leave your body, you’ll automatically begin to feel your mood lift. Doing this a few times a day can help to improve your attitude throughout the day as well as give you a moment to stop and breathe.
GV 20 & GV 24.5 : Take your middle fingers and press directly on the crown of your head, and also between your eyebrows at the same time.
These two points together help to give your body clarity, inducing a sense of calm, and boost your mood.
This can also help clear your sinuses, providing an overall opening both emotionally and physically.
GV 17 (Brain's Door) : This pressure point is above the midpoint of the back hair line, in the depression on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance.
Known as the “brain’s door,” this is a great way to promote a more relaxed breathing and to quell your anxieties.
This can easily be done at your desk at work in the privacy of your cubicle.
Happiness, therefore, is a high-frequency state that aligns with the energy of the universe. So when we cultivate joy, gratitude, and love, we raise our vibrational frequency to attract more positive experiences and outcomes into our lives.
Happiness, from this metaphysical standpoint, is not only something that happens to us by chance, but something we actively create through our thoughts and emotions. When we focus on feelings of joy and fulfilment, we can shape our reality and draw to us more happiness.
In non-dualistic teachings, happiness is not dependent on external circumstances but is the natural state of our being. When we identify ourselves with the One Unified Consciousness, we set ourselves up to experience the unchanging state of bliss or contentment.
Awakening to unity, where the ego and all its attachments dissolve, leads to the realisation that happiness (sometimes equated to love) is our true state. It's a state beyond emotions like joy or sadness—an eternal, peaceful presence that cannot be disrupted by the ups and downs of life.
Scientific research suggests that happiness is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Approximately 50 percent of happiness is attributed to being genetically determined. This concept, known as "trait happiness," implies that some people are naturally predisposed to experience more positive emotions than others.
However, life circumstances, such as relationships and socioeconomic status, account for about 10 percent of happiness, leaving roughly 40 percent of our happiness within our control. This malleable portion of happiness is determined by personal choices and behaviours, such as practicing kindness, building strong social relationships, and pursuing meaningful goals. The choices we make in our day-to-day lives, including moral and ethical decisions, significantly impact our overall sense of happiness and fulfilment.
Happiness is clearly contagious and thrives in environments of mutual support and love. Our friendships, family ties, or romantic partnerships, and our strong connections provide a sense of belonging and security that contributes to emotional well-being.
In flow, we lose track of time and become fully absorbed in the present moment. Flow enhances the belief that we have the ability to succeed. It generates intrinsic happiness, which is not dependent on external rewards but on the satisfaction derived from doing an activity well.
Across spiritual and metaphysical traditions, happiness is cultivated not by pursuing external pleasures but through inner practices that foster peace, love, and connection to the divine or higher self.
Meditation is a common practice that helps us cultivate inner peace and joy. When we quieten the mind and focus on the present moment, we can access a state of contentment that transcends fleeting emotions.
Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present in the here and now, helps us let go of worries and regrets, making room for gratitude and joy. It encourages appreciation for the small moments in life and fosters a sense of well-being.
In most spiritual traditions, happiness is intertwined with compassion and service to others. Helping others, showing kindness, and being compassionate are seen as ways to transcend egoic desires and connect with universal love.
Focusing on the well-being of others, facilitates the experience of a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment, which leads to lasting happiness. This is seen as a way to align with the divine flow and experience joy through unity and connection.
In many spiritual frameworks, happiness is not seen as the constant pursuit of joy but as part of a balanced emotional life. In TCM and other holistic philosophies, all emotions, including sadness, fear, anger, and joy, are necessary for a healthy, balanced life.
Emotional Flow: Rather than suppressing or avoiding negative emotions, spiritual happiness comes from allowing all emotions to flow naturally through the body and mind. This balanced emotional life prevents stagnation and promotes overall well-being.
True happiness arises not from the avoidance of difficult emotions but from the integration of all emotional experiences. Embracing sadness, fear, or anger, and learning from them, leads to a more profound and sustainable happiness rooted in inner peace.