Being Happy
At The Guardian, Mark Vernon writes that "positive psychology" has taught us very little about happiness. "The science of happiness barely grasps the things that the average sage of antiquity took as fundamental," Vernon writes.
Vernon argues that positive psychology is based on a flawed premise -- that happiness is the experience of pleasure. He sites Richard Schoch, a professor at Queen Mary University of London, who argues that the pursuit of pleasure is a dead end. Schoch says, "Behind the pursuit of pleasure lies desire - the impulse to possess whatever we find attractive. We might say that the root cause of unhappiness is unbridled desire, as Buddha preached in the towns and villages of northern India more than 2,000 years ago."
Vernon and Schoch are discussing the same thing the Buddha taught in the Four Noble Truths. To be attached to the senses and the fleeting experiences of pleasure is to be trapped on a hamster wheel of craving and dissatisfaction. On the other hand, Pema Chodron defines happiness as being "At home with yourself in your world. Not separating yourself from others. Not hardening your heart, or your mind to others, or to the world."
May all beings be happy.
Comments
I’d say “happiness” is being comfortable and satisfied with with ones self.
As it is said “There is no way to happiness for happiness is the Way” and happiness is being content with what is in each present moment and giving kindness to all.
Happiness is our true nature without conditions.
Positive psychology includes concepts and approaches with which Buddhists would be very familiar. Many researchers whose work could be included within positive psychology would absolutely agree with Richard Schoch. I would suggest that Vernon has a very limited appreciation of this new field of psychology.