Do you buy this hypothesis or not?
Last month Fast Company magazine published an on-line book promotion piece that claimed most of our beliefs about how to pursue happiness are wrong. If you take a look at this list and have a moment to let me know whether or not you buy what the authors are pitching, feel free to share your views.
Contributor Stephanie Vozza summarized the opinions shared by the co-authors of a book called The Ten Worlds. The basic premise is that in order to “properly” pursue happiness we have to have a deeper understanding of our personal life tendencies.
Their 10 Worlds
While we can move in and out of what the authors have identified as ten beliefs, most of us will gravitate toward one of these ten as being our truth; and that truth is the world in which we live. The other nine, the book says, are delusions. Here are the ten beliefs the authors claim exist:
- Hell: The world of suffering.When trapped here, we feel hopeless and helpless. Our delusion is that we are powerless to end the suffering.
- Hunger: The world of desire.People who live in a desirous world are restless and have persistent yearning. The hunger delusion is that you must get what you want in order to be happy.
- Animality: The world of instinct.This world revolves around the present moment and the ongoing satisfaction of our physical needs. The delusion here, the authors say, is that pleasure and happiness are the same.
- Anger: The world of ego.Here we are driven by a need to be viewed in a positive light, which often causes us to feel contemptuous and jealous. Its delusion is that happiness comes from being better than others.
- Tranquility: The world of serenity. People who live here find comfort in the status quo. They shun variety and do not enjoy trying new things. The delusion is that in order to be happy we must avoid pain, change, and disruption.
- Rapture: The world of joy.This hedonistic world feels exhilarating. The delusion is that happiness is dependent on attachments such as money or things.
- Learning: The world of mastery.In this world, a person feels a relentless drive to learn and accomplish something that creates value and meaning. The delusion comes from thinking happiness comes only through accomplishment.
- Realization: The world of self-improvement.Here people obsess over self-examination and personal growth. Since introspection can lead to self-absorption, the delusion is that people think they must grow in order to be happy.
- Compassion: The world of love.In a compassionate world, fulfillment comes from caring as much about the happiness of others as ourselves. While this sounds good, the delusion comes from believing that in order to be happy, you must help others become happy. Prioritization of others above self can foster resentment.
- Enlightenment: The world of awe.The tenth world, according to the authors, is the true path to happiness. Enlightenment-chasers remain in a continual state of wonder at the sublime order and beauty of the universe.
Understanding your world
This approach assumes we have one world above the rest in which we spend the most time. For example, the world of tranquility can manifest itself to the point where decisions are paralyzing.
We are susceptible to creating inner anxiety about making a wrong choice and believing that personal happiness is jeopardized by one decision. When we accept that personal happiness isn’t fleeting, we are able to make decisions in a more rational way.
In the world of learning—even though intellectually I think this type of happiness comes from building and creating value—the delusion is a belief that I have to accomplish or experience something in order to be happy, and that type of happiness will be temporary.
Each world has a happiness ceiling, so understanding what each gives and takes provides insight that enable you to keep some type of power over each world.
Having perspective is helpful. In the tenth world, the authors say, “Happiness is permanent.”
Many of us have inherent skepticism about enlightenment. The authors believe that if you allow yourself to hope, imagine, or strive for a world of awe, you will be able to discover your most enlightened self. To do this, you must figure out what triggers your emotions. Not everybody is made sad by the same things, nor are we in awe of the same experience or thoughts.
What the authors are arguing for is the importance of experiencing a more expansive self-environment, which they believe unleashes life conditions and transcendent joy.
In summary, the authors believe the best way to think about happiness is to examine, understand, and take control of your beliefs.
This approach seems to identify its success keys as mindfulness and behavioral self-awareness. Rather than categorizing emotional reactions into ten buckets, perhaps there is a smarter way to enhance the control you demonstrate over your emotions and behaviors.
In closing, remember what the Dalai Lama said when asked the secret of happiness. His answer was much shorter than the ten worlds of this hypothesis.
“Do more (for others)” he said. “Want less.”
What do you think?
Ocean Palmer