From a historical perspective, happiness was, in Roman time,
symbolised by and gave rise to the
Penis of Pompeii firmly directing mankind
where happiness lies. “Hic Habitat
Felicitas” , “Here dwells happiness” clearly demonstrated at the National Archaeological
Museum, in Naples. It is a symbol of prosperity, fertility, life, power and
luck. The Penis of Pompei was also the symbol of life placed on many doorways of Bakeries bidding bread and other living things to rise and fill with life. A little like the mythological
horseshoe until recently. The ‘Fascinum’ also
used to grace the entryways of many residences of nobility and plebeians alike “felicity
lives here” type of thing warding of bad spirits but encouraging security,
bounty and fecundity radiating outward as a life giving symbol. Towards 150 BCE when Rome was becoming an
Empire, Felicitas was worshiped as a goddess and wealthy officials, including
Julius Caesar later, were building temples in her honour. Festivals of Felicitas were
iconized by cornucopia bursting with fruits of the harvest that symbolised
bounty.
Staying with the Ancient world religions, all their formats
were built around happiness; lack of it, the fear from it or even seeking after it
by promises in the after-life. In the
Christian religion happiness was competing for centre stage as the pivotal
attraction in its pull into the Transcendental Spiritual world. Although,
things didn’t reach fever pitch where the need or desire to die overpowered
reason, Christian martyrs, as long as they were baptised, were happy to
die. Although, it is not pleasurable to
be fed to wild lions or subjected to a hopelessly uneven gladiatorial combat,
their belief was constituted in their happiness: gates of the promised Heaven was the beginning
of life. Happiness became the ‘it’ word; happy to be born, happy to die and happy to be happy.
A promise of Utopia- how wonderful!
Incidentally, those who were watching the happiness of death (cruelty was part of festivals), were also
happy in the knowledge of seeing real life drama of torture. What was torture for some was happiness for
others. Also, the mode of death or torture of
some was be the measure of happiness for others; it obviously enhanced the spectators'
life; they were not much squeamish at the sight of blood.
Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.Happy are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Source: Matthew (5:3-11)
Which, I hope neatly brings me to neuroscience ; how the mind interprets or triggers happiness within the mind/body partnership. We need to ask how it happens that for a physical external thing can cause feelings to stir the consciousness. How does the mind interprets happiness and whether happiness is measurable, if so, by what increments. Where does this elusive happiness hide? On the other hand, there could be no such thing as experiencing happiness but only a perceiving mind. Sharing, caring, singing, laughing and so on, as physical reaction that can affect the chemical balances in the brain produced to cause positive emotions. The brain responds to a pleasure stimulus by activating a reward system, translated as happiness. Just like crying which is caused by the external world, is promoted by a negative emotion that is in turn evoked by a physical experience. Because happiness is relative and subjective it can only be explained by examples. This is similar to something fascinating called Qualia; body sensations that translated by the mind. Examples of Qualia such as the pain of a headache, the taste of wine, or the perceived redness of an evening sky or even the smell of a Rose for instance. We can after all, find comfort in the thought that the psychology in the ability to be happy is partly what it is to be human.
Sharing, I believe, is the single most effective experience that can lead to happiness, even more evident when contrasted with Unhappiness, which we tend not to share with others. Sharing is above all other actions that characterises the quality and quantity of happiness. The mere act of sharing is part of the happiness that is projected by those that are participants in that act- including socialising. Good news such as "won a contract", or "passed my exam" or sharing a "Happy Birthday" is what exhilarate and realise a true state of happiness. It is not much fun hogging a Birthday cake all to oneself. For example to experience the happiness of being rich is largely attributed to the fact of sharing material posessions, a diamond ring, a 'Dolce and Gabbana' dress, a new car, expensive holidays with friends ; sharing in one's pleasure; in a sense sharing evaluates the realisation of one’s happiness - how a poorer other feels we leave for another argument!. Even in the world of social media sharing a post and knowing that someone acknowledges the contribution by reading it, or better still liking it, is a boost to happiness. Also the very beautiful remain living in fool’s paradise; the truth of what one sees in the mirror, is when someone acknowledges it to be so; even if that 'truth' is a lie!
On that theme here is a thought I am 'happy' to share…
"Our happiness is not in what we
are but in what we are becoming"
me! |