Page 16 - The Truth Landscape Format 2020 with next section introductions-compressed

1 – What is Happiness?

The Science of Happiness

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. ~ Aristotle

Happiness

Happiness is a primary goal of all humans. Every religion and philosophy has offered its supposed pathway to happiness, and there are many. Here we will not
try to offer instant solutions but will help you to find your own paths to becoming happier. There are common fundamentals to sustained happiness as well as
there are common causes of unhappiness. These exist regardless of gender, age or race. Happiness depends partly on external circumstances and partly on
oneself. The following pages will help you clarify your thinking and work out your own path to becoming happier.

What is Happiness

The dictionary definition is "feelings of joy and pleasure mingled together”. A feeling of happiness is more than just an experience of joy or pleasure.
It is a state of mind where the individual feels that “life is good”.

To take the dictionary definition further, there is a third element or level of happiness, contentment. So, what is the difference between them?

Pleasure is happiness of the body. It can be warm, thrilling, misty, physical, sensual and arousing. As such, pleasure is dependent upon an external stimulus
such as a sound, a touch, a smell, a visual to exist, it cannot exist on its own. Pleasure quickly comes and just as quickly goes.

Contentment is happiness of the world. It is all about satisfaction with life. Contentment requires “Content” of some description to enable it to exist, for
example “I am happy because the work on my house is completed” or “I’m content with my body right now”. Contentment needs a “because”. Because your
house is completed, you are content. As such it is fragile, as contentment can come and go with changes in circumstances.

Joy is happiness of the spirit. This is the highest level of true happiness the human spirit can attain. When you have it, it accompanies you wherever you go.
Physical pleasures and worldly contentment may come and go, joy is everlasting and never dies. Joy is the most natural form of happiness, totally unconditional
and non-judgemental

In medical circles, the experience of being happy can be described as having an abundance of the chemical neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain. When the
levels of serotonin in your brain are too low, you can expect to experience a decrease in well-being and "happiness". Many anti-depressant medications work Page16