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Introducing “The Hierarchy of Happiness” — A New (Free) eBook with 100+ Powerful Perspectives on How to be Happy
A reminder of what it takes to be happy. The Hierarchy of Happiness is a great visual aid but make some time to read the whole piece. A lot of thought has gone into this … The infographic alone is a powerful reminder of what matters.
— Carl P., Sloww Reader
The Hierarchy of Happiness eBook Introduction
“To be happy.”
This seems to be the go-to answer for one of humanity’s universal questions: “What is your goal in life?”
Consciously or not, directly or indirectly, in the short or the long term, whatever we do, whatever we hope, whatever we dream—somehow, is related to a deep, profound desire for well-being or happiness.
— Matthieu Ricard, Biochemist turned Buddhist monk who is often described as world’s happiest person
In an attempt to answer this question, many humans throughout history have developed formulas for happiness. If we could just get a few things to align, then we would be happy:
The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
— Washington Burnap
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
— Gandhi
But, does happiness really need a formula or to be a future goal?
Can you simply be happy now? Right now?
And, at a deeper level, should happiness even be the goal?
While researching other topics over the last few years, I’ve been tucking away a vast variety of perspectives on happiness. With well over 100 viewpoints in total, this eBook is a synthesis of my notes and thinking on happiness to date. It’s intended to expand your mind on what it truly means to be happy—so you can ultimately define happiness for yourself.
(The word happiness) is commonly used to designate something intricate and ambiguous, one of those ideas which humanity has intentionally left vague, so that each individual might interpret it in his own way.
— Henri Bergson
The 100+ thoughts are grouped into 12 themes (chapters) and a “hierarchy of happiness.”
The hierarchy of happiness is intended to function the same way as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. You can flow back and forth between stages at various times in your life—between external factors for happiness, psychological factors, and spiritual factors.
The quest for happiness is universal:
In our quest for happiness and the avoidance of suffering, we are all fundamentally the same, and therefore equal. Despite all the characteristics that differentiate us — race, language, religion, gender, wealth … we are all equal in terms of our basic humanity.
— Dalai Lama
The struggle is great, the task divine—to gain mastery, freedom, happiness, and tranquility.
— Epictetus
Although the quest is universal, each of our paths are individual. There’s no single right answer for how to be happy. If something resonates with you—regardless of chapter or where I’ve placed it in the hierarchy—follow it.
Only you can live your truth.
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