Comments on: Can Meditation Make Us Happier? http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/ Practical inspiration. For a happier life Wed, 16 May 2012 19:20:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: tytvgu http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-13444 tytvgu Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:08:22 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-13444 R1SZjT <a href="http://coiidjqioytf.com/" rel="nofollow">coiidjqioytf</a> R1SZjT coiidjqioytf

]]> By: Yin http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-432 Yin Tue, 06 May 2008 02:23:58 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-432 Thanks a lot for the warm welcome and all the really interesting posts. Keep on the good work Mary and I'm glad to be in this community Thanks a lot for the warm welcome and all the really interesting posts. Keep on the good work Mary and I’m glad to be in this community

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-423 Mary Jaksch Sun, 04 May 2008 00:51:50 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-423 @Yin I love the way you define happiness: "happiness is more than a few moments laughing or having fun, is about inner peace, inner fullfilment, it's about loving and accepting our life as it is, about enjoying every minute with our friends, family, it's about doing the things that make us happy and comfortable." Maybe be it is the ultimate gift of meditation practice to realise that this is what happiness is all about. @Yin
I love the way you define happiness:

“happiness is more than a few moments laughing or having fun, is about inner peace, inner fullfilment, it’s about loving and accepting our life as it is, about enjoying every minute with our friends, family, it’s about doing the things that make us happy and comfortable.”

Maybe be it is the ultimate gift of meditation practice to realise that this is what happiness is all about.

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-419 Mary Jaksch Sat, 03 May 2008 04:49:17 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-419 @Terry I'm especially interested in your observation: "I've found out it has sharpened my perspective on the external world. I see things with a wider access to move gracefully and peacefully to connect with others in a non-separation level." I read that as 'wisdom'! That would mean that you're connecting 'happiness' with 'wisdom'. Now, that's really interesting! I wonder, how do others see that? @Terry
I’m especially interested in your observation:

“I’ve found out it has sharpened my perspective on the external world. I see things with a wider access to move gracefully and peacefully to connect with others in a non-separation level.”

I read that as ‘wisdom’! That would mean that you’re connecting ‘happiness’ with ‘wisdom’. Now, that’s really interesting! I wonder, how do others see that?

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-418 Mary Jaksch Sat, 03 May 2008 04:43:16 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-418 @Nick I agree with you that zen practice is not a 'cure-all'. I do think that meditation gives us a different perspective on 'happiness'. It's not just the blazing joy of the moment but something deeper, more serene. I'm tempted to say that a full view of 'happiness' must contain some sadness and grief as well. Otherwise, as you imply, it can just be a tranquilizer that stops us from going deep into the mystery of being. I'd be keen to see whether the set-point of your mood does actually in time. @Nick
I agree with you that zen practice is not a ‘cure-all’. I do think that meditation gives us a different perspective on ‘happiness’. It’s not just the blazing joy of the moment but something deeper, more serene. I’m tempted to say that a full view of ‘happiness’ must contain some sadness and grief as well. Otherwise, as you imply, it can just be a tranquilizer that stops us from going deep into the mystery of being.

I’d be keen to see whether the set-point of your mood does actually in time.

]]> By: Yin http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-414 Yin Fri, 02 May 2008 11:14:07 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-414 I think that meditation can definitely make us happier. Some years ago I used to think that happiness was just laughing and be completely happy about something, but after some short period of meditation and after some life experiences I realized that happiness is more than a few moments laughing or having fun, is about inner peace, inner fullfilment, it's about loving and accepting our life as it is, about enjoying every minute with our friends, family, it's about doing the things that make us happy and comfortable. So thanks for this great post... I think that meditation can definitely make us happier. Some years ago I used to think that happiness was just laughing and be completely happy about something, but after some short period of meditation and after some life experiences I realized that happiness is more than a few moments laughing or having fun, is about inner peace, inner fullfilment, it’s about loving and accepting our life as it is, about enjoying every minute with our friends, family, it’s about doing the things that make us happy and comfortable. So thanks for this great post…

]]> By: Terry http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-381 Terry Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:07:06 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-381 Interesting article~ Thank you I've found out it has sharpen my perspective on the external world. I see things with a wider access to move gracefully and peacefully to connect with others in a non-separation level, to ground naturally to what is. Before I had taken interest in meditation, it was an endless inner emotional turmoil. I felt sorry for everyone. But mindful meditation brought be up a level of non-judging, to except things or events as they are. To be the observer. Namaste Interesting article~ Thank you

I’ve found out it has sharpen my perspective on the external world. I see things with a wider access to move gracefully and peacefully to connect with others in a non-separation level, to ground naturally to what is. Before I had taken interest in meditation, it was an endless inner emotional turmoil. I felt sorry for everyone. But mindful meditation brought be up a level of non-judging, to except things or events as they are. To be the observer.

Namaste

]]> By: Nick http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-380 Nick Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:21:13 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-380 I think that my emotional set point is quite low. A year ago when I suffered an acute bout of depression after having meditated for years my faith in zazen was shaken. I don't doubt that meditation can improve the overall mood of some people but I am not sure that it has had that effect on me. I am more content as I get older but I think that may just be my testosterone level going down. And I agree with Maurine Stuart: "We are not here for tranquilization or some sort of pleasant effect, but for something much deeper." (Subtle Sound Pg 47). Zazen is a means by which we can look into the mystery of life. I think that my emotional set point is quite low. A year ago when I suffered an acute bout of depression after having meditated for years my faith in zazen was shaken. I don’t doubt that meditation can improve the overall mood of some people but I am not sure that it has had that effect on me. I am more content as I get older but I think that may just be my testosterone level going down. And I agree with Maurine Stuart: “We are not here for tranquilization or some sort of pleasant effect, but for something much deeper.” (Subtle Sound Pg 47). Zazen is a means by which we can look into the mystery of life.

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-378 Mary Jaksch Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:30:52 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-378 @Deb Lovely! I like connect 'happiness' with attention. Your example shows how 'happiness' can relate to ordinary moments. I think that's a very useful. @Deb
Lovely! I like connect ‘happiness’ with attention. Your example shows how ‘happiness’ can relate to ordinary moments. I think that’s a very useful.

]]> By: deb http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-377 deb Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:14:19 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/11/can-meditation-make-us-happier/#comment-377 Most definitely yes! I am interested in the many textures, colours, heights and depths of happiness. It used to be I would only call myself happy when I was soaring at the top of the mountain. These days I recognise moments of happiness even in the valleys.The other day I was in my office working late as I do too often, and I was fretting about the days events. Then I looked out the window watching people rushing to get home - saying goodbye to friends, running after the bus - and I just felt an immense sense of happiness and joy to be just where I was. Without meditation, I would not have stopped to look and listen. I would not have noticed other people around me. Most definitely yes!

I am interested in the many textures, colours, heights and depths of happiness. It used to be I would only call myself happy when I was soaring at the top of the mountain.

These days I recognise moments of happiness even in the valleys.The other day I was in my office working late as I do too often, and I was fretting about the days events. Then I looked out the window watching people rushing to get home – saying goodbye to friends, running after the bus – and I just felt an immense sense of happiness and joy to be just where I was.

Without meditation, I would not have stopped to look and listen. I would not have noticed other people around me.

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