HAPPINESS MEANS SOCIAL CONNECTION
SEPTEMBER 17, 2010.
In 1948 a study began known as the Framingham Heart Study. It was the most comprehensive of its kind. Now 60 plus years later scientists have studied other aspects beyond just heart disease. One of their findings ins related to happiness theory. And of the factors studied a key part is that happiness is being connected to other people. We experience happiness through social connections. And therefore are very much influenced by clusters of other people around us. Check this out: a change in one person effects you and all in the cluster, your probability for increased happiness improves 15% if your most immediate friend is happy, 10% if a friend of your friend is happy, and so on until four degrees of separation.
They are figuring out and measuring what yogis have known for thousands of years: happiness is contagious.
This means everyday we have the opportunity to save someone's life. You practice yoga today, so you can practice tomorrow. What you do to manage your thoughts to create happy cells impacts not only you but those around you. In this way we are creating our world thought by thought, day by day. And it can be heaven on earth! Maybe it is. The sutras spell out that if we are imbalanced mentally, physically, emotionally which means we are not living our true nature - which is naturally happy then we must practice chapter 2.33 Pratipaksha Bhavana. Engage happy thoughts. So simple. It is our Namaste: Seek the still point where the words "you" and "I" lose meaning, where we meet and merge as one.
Try this breath meditation when you need to elevate your attitude. And be the change you want to see in the world (Ghandi). Love yourself, love your day, love your life! Silvia
Inhale: I welcome happiness,
Exhale: I am grateful
Inhale: I welcome inspiration
Exhale: I am grateful
Inhale: I welcome love
Exhale: I am grateful
Inhale: I welcome hope
Exhale: I am grateful
“Heartfelt gratitude really is the fastest way to experience happiness now. It is impossible to be truly grateful and neurotic; it is impossible to be truly grateful and not happy.” (Happiness coach Barry Kaufman author of Happiness Is A Choice)