To be happy is a genuinely human ambition. In a certain way we spend most of our existence in the ursue of happiness. As the psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman ponders, ‘More words were used to define happiness than any other philosophical issue”¹. In fact a quick search on Google finds over 24 million entries for the term happiness.

In spite of that, happiness is still a misunderstood concept. After all, people still attribute certain states, characteristics and descriptions that do not fit or restrict its meaning. According to another prominent psychologist, Michael Argyle (1995-2002), people generally describe happiness in terms of contentment, satisfaction, peace of mind, a feeling of accomplishment, delight, joy, among other things. ²

Establishing more clearly its conceptual borders, Seligman considers important to be able to distinguish a momentary happiness from an enduring one.³ Therefore, the temporary one can be enhanced by the use of experiences (enjoyments) temporary and/or swift such as going to the movies, theater, shopping mall, to enjoy some chocolate, get a promotion, a rise in the salary, etc. But to improve the constant of happiness is something that the increase in the number of episodes of momentary positive feelings will not attain. Perhaps this is why the concept of happiness has been suffering countless interpretations throughout history.

By the way, the medium Divaldo P. Franco has made astounding remarks about the theme.

Going back in time, he declares that it was in Greece that the concept of hedonism – still utterly relevant in present times - flourished as a philosophy that embraced “pleasure and beauty as supreme assets of human life”.⁴ Some of the more prominent representatives of this school were Aristippus of Cyrene (435-366 BC) and Epicurus of Samos (341-270 BC).   

The hedonist thinking in modern days - So, while the first said that pleasure was a good in itself, and could be used intensely; the latter determined the moderation of pleasure, with the aim to reach true happiness.

“The two doctrines were confused throughout the centuries, but what lingered on in history was the hedonist notion of Aristippus, who preached the unrestrained search for sensorial pleasures, such as eating, drinking, sleeping and having sex, without any moral evaluations”.⁵

It is not hard to realize that the hedonist thinking strongly influences a great deal of the mankind presently incarnated. Just look at drug addiction, alcoholism and sex addiction that especially dominate young minds. But in a flagrant contrast with the afore mentioned thinkers, Socrates (469 – 399 BC):

“[...] in his day and age already said that happiness is independent of having, of not having, of enduring pain. The true happiness is being. But, in order to be, three factors are indispensable: straight thinking, straight conduct and healthy words”. ⁶

Franco also mentions the notable cynical, Diogenes of Sinope (412 – 323BC) who lived as a beggar and, as such, despised the powerful and social conventions. His philosophy vehemently condemned pleasure, desire and lust.⁷Another philosopher’s ideas also fascinated us, one who by the way exerts great influence in today’s academic thinking, that is Aristotle (384-322 BC), disciple of Plato. Aristotle developed the concept of eudemonia, the meaning in Greek of the word “eu” evokes that idea of good or welfare and “daemon”, Spirit.

And here’s is a clear improvement in the subject, for, as the scholar Eduardo Wills observes, eudemonia considers welfare more important than the hedonic happiness because it has to do with the realization of human potentials. ⁸ 

Happiness and its relationship with the virtuous life – For him, the Aristotle view interprets happiness as part of a virtuous or ethical understanding of life. But, after all, what guides human action is precisely the pursuit of happiness. The Aristotelian thinking also advocates that in order to find out the true meaning of happiness it is vital to examine human nature (Spirit) in all it complexity.⁹

Within this perspective, it is certain that the exercise of human faculties in all their excellence will lead to happiness, and by that it constitutes a life’s commitment. To Wills, “Thus, the pursuit of happiness will have practical implications in terms of living a virtuous life”. In this conception, happiness is the product of the way we use our skills. In fact, well known characters of today linked to financial and political scandals seriously compromised their levels of happiness when not adopting a virtuous conduct. After all, their names are clearly identifies as evil doers or transgressors of the law. At last, it is very auspicious that a scientist such as Wills proposes that satisfaction with spirituality will contribute to obtaining high levels of satisfaction with life as part of the eudemonic view of happiness. ¹⁰

However, when examining the nuances of happiness, Michael Argyle suggested that “Happiness can be understood as a reflection on the satisfaction with life, or the frequency and intensity of positive emotions”.¹¹With effect, there’s substantial empirical proof that positive emotions create a shield against the “damages of ageing”, as Seligman attests¹². On the other hand, students of happiness have argued that people and nations are more or less happy taking into consideration a few positive feelings related to dimensions: social relationships, work and unemployment, leisure, money, class, culture, personality, joy, life satisfaction, age, sex, health, progress and so on.¹³ 

What makes a life worthy - Based on that, Argyle stated that general life conditions affect happiness. So happiness is a multi-dimensional concept. In other words: it is the result of many causes. In today’s world, as we know, monetary assets play a big role on people’s lives, but are not necessarily synonyms of happiness. According to Seligman, “More than money itself, but influences happiness is the importance you attribute to it [...]”.¹⁴ But what makes a life worthy? According to a research developed by Gallup institute on a global scale it is necessary to satisfy five essential elements, namely: career, social, financial, physical and community welfare. ¹⁵

Nowadays there are even rankings of happiness of nations. For instance, the Happy Planet Index that measures up life expectancy, welfare and ecological factors. Although they serve as parameter, they are imperfect because each uses a certain group of variables or specific criteria of measurement that end up leading, in a certain way, to subjectivity. Furthermore, we notice in the current thinking and measurement of happiness a clear inclination/ bias for “owning” as opposed to “being”. That said, what can religion offer us about happiness in a world with so much unhappiness? Seligman argues that: “The relationship between hope in the future and religious faith is probably the cornerstone in which religion drives away despair and increases happiness [...]”.¹⁶ If religions contributed with this perception alone they would be doing a certainly noticeable job.

But to encapsulating all life’s complexities in the material dimension, the Spirit Joanna de Angelis goes further when affirming that: “[...]one cannot enjoy broad happiness during one’s carnal journey, however, through moral acts each person can ease the afflictions that come from unfortunate experiences originated in their past existences”.¹⁷Or as Allan Kardec wisely summed up, “Happiness does not belong to this world”. ¹⁸ 

Socrates proposition and the Spiritualistic proposition - In turn, Divaldo P. Franco reminds us that: “Spiritualism considers happiness through the proposition of Socrates and Jesus. Socrates states that it is more important to be than to have. Happiness from a Socratic point of view is the result of righteous thoughts, of balanced actions and peaceful hearts. One can only have a peaceful heart if he or she behaves correctly, and one can only act with balance if he or she thinks well”.¹⁹  

This proposal was completely absorbed by the newly-born Christianity, and Jesus showed throughout his short life – but with the utmost coherence, let’s say – that more important than external values is the condition of peace achieved by the human creature. Therefore, Spiritualism explains Franco, defends that true happiness comes from a tranquil consciousness, a natural consequence, by the way, of an individual who owns a straight character and is based on a straight conduct.

The respectable medium offers sensible explanations about the theme that deserve our reflection – that is:

“Why isn’t happiness from this world? Because we live in a relative world and happiness would be a permanent achievement. Since we live in relativity, we live in unstability. Happiness must be stable.

“Why is there such relativity? Because we confuse up pleasure with happiness [...]”²⁰

In this sense, Joanna de Angelis informs us that “Only by conquering eternal values we acquire assets that don’t change hands and a harmony that wins”.²¹ Franco, in his turn, clarifies that Jesus in his mission of awakening us for the truth informed us that his kingdom was not of this world. And such assertiveness must be interpreted as “[...]Happiness belongs to the kingdom of God.” 

Broad happiness awaits us - But, if the kingdom of God is not of this world, there is a subtlety: it is not of this world, but starts in this world. It is here that we should place the pillars of happiness, establish the ethical and moral basis of our own existence [...]”²²

However, “[...] in order to go to this transcendental world, we’re here on Earth preparing the steps of ascension through our moral life”.²³ He also rightly notices that: “Jesus came to design real happiness, Goodness. If we wish for happiness, let’s love, but in such a way as if we’re loving ourselves, with a self love that many people don’t possess[...]”.²⁴

That is why true happiness is the one allows for inner peace because it is built on universal laws. It does not depend on any material possessions or momentary pleasures. Finally, Kardec provides interesting explanations about the transcendental meaning of happiness upon which we should meditate:

“Supreme happiness consists of the enjoyment of all creation’s splendors that any human language could ever describe, that the most fertile imagination could conceive. It also consists in the penetration of all things, in the absence of moral and physical suffering, in an intimate satisfaction, in an imperturbable serenity of the soul, in the love that surrounds all beings, due to the absence of the friction with evil, and, above all, in the contemplation of God and the understanding of His mysteries revealed to the most dignified. Happiness is also present in the tasks that make us happy. The Pure Spirits are the Messiahs or Messengers of God by the transmission and execution of His will. They fulfill the great missions, preside the formation of worlds and the general harmony of the Universe, a glorious task achieved only by perfection. The ones from the most elevated order are the only ones to possess the secrets of God, inspired by His thought, of which they are direct representatives”.²⁵This broad happiness awaits us, but we must work to deserve it.