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Abstract

ntra is <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/mantras-chants/shanti-mantra-mantra-meaning-and-benefits/articleshow/68205202.cms">supposed to lead</a> an individual to attain inner bliss by focusing the mind, allowing the self to be detached from the senses and relieving stress.</p><h2 id="8e8c">Zen</h2><p id="d510">Quite similar to the concept of Shanti is the Buddhist concept of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zen">Zen</a>. It too talks about realizing the joy of being through dedication and practice. Zen considers inner peace to be something that every human is born with. You just need to unlock it within you by being aware, being <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition">mindful</a>, and being in harmony with the Universe. Zen considers the act of breathing to be one of giving and receiving — with every breath, you take in love and give out gratitude. To be able to do this with constant awareness frees the self from the barriers of the past and the future, by breaking free from what we consider the identities we’re trapped in. Being Zen is being free, and happy.</p><h2 id="087f">Hygge</h2><p id="6e19">If Shanti and Zen are about letting go, the Scandinavian concept of <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-year-of-hygge-the-danish-obsession-with-getting-cozy">Hygge</a> is about holding on to the little things that put you in a happy state of mind. Coming from a part of the world that’s characterized by its extremely cold winters, it’s no surprise that Hygge is all about being warm and comfortable, and by extension, anything that puts you in that state of feeling warm and comfortable. This can be everything from your favorite pair of sweatpants to a hot cup of cocoa or snuggling up in your favorite chair to read. It’s all about the feeling, and anything goes as long as it’s soothing to your spirits.</p><h2 id="a099">Cosagach</h2><p id="9f96">From the neighborhood of Hygge comes its Scottish rival, <a href="https://foyr.com/learn/cosagach-interior-design-style/">Cosagach</a>, again referring to the feeling of being warm and cosy. And what better than stunning landscapes, wide-open spaces and warm pubs to help with that feeling of contentment? Both terms equate happiness to the feeling of being snug and secure, the feelings that arise with the image of snuggling before a large fire, hands wrapped around a cup of hot chocolate. The same idea is represented by the Scottish word ‘<a href="https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wellbeing/a23769694/coorie-scottish-trend/">Coorie</a>.’</p><h2 id="668d">Ikigai</h2><p id="c59a">In the Japanese belief system, happiness equates to discovering your true purpose in life. Or in other words, your <a href=

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"https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai/">Ikigai</a>. Of course, for a long time now, societies have known that happiness couldn’t be measured by the amount of money you earn nor the number of items you tick off in your to-do list. <a href="https://savvytokyo.com/ikigai-japanese-concept-finding-purpose-life/#:~:text=A%20combination%20of%20the%20Japanese,morning%20and%20keeps%20you%20going.">The Japanese believe that discovering your Ikigai</a> goes beyond discovering your strengths and interests and getting paid for something you’re good at. To truly be in your element, these should also intersect with another crucial factor: is what you’re doing beneficial to the world at large or something the world needs? Only an affirmative answer can lead you to true happiness.</p><h2 id="357b">Meraki</h2><p id="dfab">Ever wondered why a manic bout of cleaning the house helps you at times to deal with that unwieldy load of stress you’ve been carrying around? The answer may lie in the Greek concept of <a href="https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/meraki/#:~:text=Meraki%20refers%20to%20the%20act,of%20yourself%20to%20your%20work.">Meraki</a>, which refers to pouring your heart and soul into a task at hand. Meraki is the contentment and pride of a job done lovingly and done well. It’s about your purpose in life and the confidence you get from carrying out the purpose.</p><h2 id="3e62">Hozho</h2><p id="36ae">In the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Navajo-people">Navajo</a> Native American culture, <a href="https://bahaiteachings.org/navajo-concept-hozho-living-harmony/">Hozho</a> is a term that refers to balance. In this belief system, Hozho describes life as it should be lived — perfectly balanced between health and long life, wisdom and knowledge, the mundane and the divine. In other words, it’s the interconnectedness of all these aspects that leads to a happy and fulfilling life.</p><p id="71e7">If you examine all of these concepts closely, you’ll find that happiness, as per definitions from around the world, doesn’t stem from yourself in isolation. It stems from a sense of being connected to the Universe, from being at ease with the world around you, from letting go of trivial anxieties and holding on to what counts. It can stem also from dedication to your purpose in life, all the while keeping in mind that it goes beyond you as an individual.</p><p id="ccbb">It may be particularly relevant to note that in all these concepts from around the globe, nowhere does it appear that you can find your happiness in another person. It is you. All you. The anchor and wings. The creator and nurturer of your own happiness.</p><p id="df13">So breathe in. Breathe out. Be grateful. And be kind. Happiness will follow.</p></article></body>

From Contentment to Bliss: Seven Universal Concepts of Happiness

The International Code To Happiness

The world is going through one of the most challenging times in recent history and it’s not surprising that far more than before, individuals are looking for ways to be calmer and happier. Right from its inception, humanity has held a fascination for that elusive concept called happiness.

There are ideas and belief systems around the world that promise to help individuals find success in their pursuit of happiness. Most are based on similar principles — of overcoming undue importance attached to the senses, of being balanced in mind and spirit and channeling inner energies towards positivity and tranquility.

Basic human nature dictates that almost everyone is prey to the “grass is greener on the other side” syndrome. At first, you feel you’d be perfectly happy if you could achieve that one, big goal. But once you’ve achieved it, you’re certain something is lacking in the manner of achievement that’s keeping you from being perfectly happy about it.

Here are seven thought systems from around the world that talk about what it takes to be happy. Read on to find out which one resonates with you.

Shanti

Shanti is a Sanskrit term that means “peace”. It refers specifically to a state of balance and tranquility within the mind. If you attend Yoga sessions, you may have noticed that often the sessions end with the phrase, “Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti”. In this invocation for peace, the first chant addresses the body, the second the mind and the third, the human spirit. Chanting of the Shanti mantra is supposed to lead an individual to attain inner bliss by focusing the mind, allowing the self to be detached from the senses and relieving stress.

Zen

Quite similar to the concept of Shanti is the Buddhist concept of Zen. It too talks about realizing the joy of being through dedication and practice. Zen considers inner peace to be something that every human is born with. You just need to unlock it within you by being aware, being mindful, and being in harmony with the Universe. Zen considers the act of breathing to be one of giving and receiving — with every breath, you take in love and give out gratitude. To be able to do this with constant awareness frees the self from the barriers of the past and the future, by breaking free from what we consider the identities we’re trapped in. Being Zen is being free, and happy.

Hygge

If Shanti and Zen are about letting go, the Scandinavian concept of Hygge is about holding on to the little things that put you in a happy state of mind. Coming from a part of the world that’s characterized by its extremely cold winters, it’s no surprise that Hygge is all about being warm and comfortable, and by extension, anything that puts you in that state of feeling warm and comfortable. This can be everything from your favorite pair of sweatpants to a hot cup of cocoa or snuggling up in your favorite chair to read. It’s all about the feeling, and anything goes as long as it’s soothing to your spirits.

Cosagach

From the neighborhood of Hygge comes its Scottish rival, Cosagach, again referring to the feeling of being warm and cosy. And what better than stunning landscapes, wide-open spaces and warm pubs to help with that feeling of contentment? Both terms equate happiness to the feeling of being snug and secure, the feelings that arise with the image of snuggling before a large fire, hands wrapped around a cup of hot chocolate. The same idea is represented by the Scottish word ‘Coorie.’

Ikigai

In the Japanese belief system, happiness equates to discovering your true purpose in life. Or in other words, your Ikigai. Of course, for a long time now, societies have known that happiness couldn’t be measured by the amount of money you earn nor the number of items you tick off in your to-do list. The Japanese believe that discovering your Ikigai goes beyond discovering your strengths and interests and getting paid for something you’re good at. To truly be in your element, these should also intersect with another crucial factor: is what you’re doing beneficial to the world at large or something the world needs? Only an affirmative answer can lead you to true happiness.

Meraki

Ever wondered why a manic bout of cleaning the house helps you at times to deal with that unwieldy load of stress you’ve been carrying around? The answer may lie in the Greek concept of Meraki, which refers to pouring your heart and soul into a task at hand. Meraki is the contentment and pride of a job done lovingly and done well. It’s about your purpose in life and the confidence you get from carrying out the purpose.

Hozho

In the Navajo Native American culture, Hozho is a term that refers to balance. In this belief system, Hozho describes life as it should be lived — perfectly balanced between health and long life, wisdom and knowledge, the mundane and the divine. In other words, it’s the interconnectedness of all these aspects that leads to a happy and fulfilling life.

If you examine all of these concepts closely, you’ll find that happiness, as per definitions from around the world, doesn’t stem from yourself in isolation. It stems from a sense of being connected to the Universe, from being at ease with the world around you, from letting go of trivial anxieties and holding on to what counts. It can stem also from dedication to your purpose in life, all the while keeping in mind that it goes beyond you as an individual.

It may be particularly relevant to note that in all these concepts from around the globe, nowhere does it appear that you can find your happiness in another person. It is you. All you. The anchor and wings. The creator and nurturer of your own happiness.

So breathe in. Breathe out. Be grateful. And be kind. Happiness will follow.