Aung Hlaing - Happiness is for you

Chapter (1)

What is the problem?

There are two paradoxical problems with empirical research on happiness.

The problem is that most people believe that happiness comes from succeeding in every endeavor to earn more money, and the idea that in Western societies, the wealthier you get, the less happiness you get.

Scientific research has shown that the average person is less happy than they were 50 years ago, while at the same time, the average person's income has more than doubled compared to 50 years ago.

The two paradoxes of happiness are most evident in the United States, Britain, and Japan. In the developed world, most people not only have access to food, clothing , cars , and nice houses, but also have access to short workweeks and many days off. They also have access to comprehensive health care and education, but they do not have access to the true happiness that represents true peace of mind. Governments in these countries need to review the conditions for happiness.

Therefore, even if a person has a good income and can live comfortably, there is no guarantee of happiness. In order to cultivate happiness in each individual, we first need to understand what causes happiness and to what extent it can have an impact.

According to scholarly research on happiness , it is found to be related to fields such as sociology, philosophy, psychology, etc.

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is a science that flourished in the 18th century and elevated human intelligence and thought.

In the 19th century, happiness in society was based on the moral goodness of the individual. During this period, religious beliefs and philosophy (philosophy) flourished, but by the 20th century, religious beliefs had faded and only ethics that would fit into society were prioritized. In other words, it was a time when people sought their own happiness through self-reliance. In addition, during this period, people violated the teachings of the New Testament and worked only to satisfy their individual desires, which led to an increase in anxiety and the disappearance of true happiness.

If we study the decline in happiness in the 20th century, we find that the lack of mutual support, empathy, and compassion among human beings has led to an increase in individualism.

What is psychology?

At the same time, modern psychology emerged and contributed greatly to the development of happiness in human society.

What is human society?

The following roles are involved in human society.

If an individual's basic economic well-being is not equal to that of others, there will be no happiness in society. Therefore, watching television and reading advertisements often helps a lot to keep up with others in the areas of economy, education, and health.

In human society, sometimes there are personal and economic rivalries, and sometimes people take advantage of their own humility and win over others. In such a situation, the question arises as to how to find happiness in the mind.

Safety and security are also important for everyone. Only when there is harmony in the relationship between the workplace, family, and neighbors can we be sure of our individual safety. No one wants to be unemployed, have a family breakup, have problems with the environment, or face a lawsuit. However, due to the interference of an external force, the above situations can be faced and the safety of the person concerned is often destroyed.

Trust is essential in society. Only when there is trust (and good morals) can human relationships be harmonious and happy. However, studies have shown that the level of trust in people has fallen significantly in the United States and Britain over the past decade. This is because despite the expansion of society, there has been a decline in morals, leading to a lack of trust in people.

What is personality?

It has been found that happiness for a person depends not only on the ease of communication with the outside world, but also on the person's behavior and actions. Everyone likes to be treated with kindness. They also like to recognize the kindness they have shown to others. Only with good morals can an individual be able to solve the problems and difficulties they will encounter in life competently.

Throughout the 20th century, parents, teachers, and Christian leaders have been teaching people to develop a spirit of love and compassion. In today's world, good morals are essential to achieving happiness and contentment. Therefore, in order for society as a whole to live a happy life, it is necessary to understand the different emotional patterns of each individual. Some people suffer from marital problems, while others are worried about their finances.

Many medications were introduced in the 1950s to treat these psychologically damaging (and therefore, joyless) conditions. However, these medications caused more side effects than relief.

Humans have an innate desire to win. This desire to win should be used effectively to combat the negative behaviors occurring within our psyche.