Being Happy: Part 1
3.5/5
()
About this ebook
True happiness, lasting happiness can be achieved through a process known as Self-Actualisation, or Self-Realisation. This is a natural state and within the reach of all human beings. It comes from having satisfied all of one’s human needs.
This is the kind of happiness that cannot be obtained through the acquisition of things. The fleeting gratification in receiving goods or services is not true happiness. That is an illusion created by our global consumer society. I am not suggesting that you should avoid having nice things, just that they are not a source of true happiness.
Truly happy people are Self-Actualised (SA) people, so called because they are a much fuller expression of their unique human potential than non SA people. The state has been given many labels, enlightened or awakened being two of them. In Zen, it is described Satori.
While you cannot order happiness on demand, you can create the right conditions in yourself for Self-Actualisation to occur. This eBook describes what these conditions are, and how you might go about creating them. The rest is up to you.
The humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow is well-known for his ideas on a hierarchy of human needs. Basic needs must be satisfied before higher order needs are felt. The hierarchy is represented as a pyramid, with the basic needs at the pyramids broad base, and with self-actualisation at the apex. A Self-Actualised person has found a way to satisfy all of his or her lower needs and has cultivated the conscious awareness of their highest self. They allow this awareness to express itself more fully in their lives.
The achievement of Self-Actualisation is recognised by Maslow as a human need, so in a sense it is everyone’s birthright to be happy.
The need for Self-Actualisation asserts itself once we have satisfied the lowest-order needs for food, shelter, sex, then middle-order needs for safety and security, then the higher middle-order needs for love and belonging. Above these is the higher-order need for self-esteem. The highest need of all, sitting like the capstone of a pyramid is the need for Self-Actualisation.
The annals of various religions tell us that a person can achieve enlightenment with only some or none of the higher and middle order needs being met, and with only the barest of lower-order needs like food and shelter being satisfied. This is more difficult, requiring you to become an ascetic recluse and engage in mortification of the flesh in order to free yourself of these normal human needs. This eBook is not recommending this course of action. Our body is not an impediment to happiness. Quite the opposite, it is a great ally. We owe it to ourselves to take the best care of our body that we can by eating well, getting enough exercise and rest, and avoiding toxic and/or addictive substances.
Self-Actualised (SA) people, whoever they are and whatever the circumstances of their lives, tend to approach life in the ways described in this eBook.
David Tuffley
David Tuffley (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & Socio-Technical Studies at Griffith University in Australia.David writes on a broad range of interests; from Comparative Religion, Anthropology, Psychology, Ancient and Modern History, Linguistics, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Architectural History, Environments and Ecosystems.
Read more from David Tuffley
Nautical Terms: A Dictionary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeing Grateful: Becoming Whole Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoing with the Flow Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSurfing Lingo: A Dictionary of Surfing Terms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeing Happy: Part 4 Cultivating Virtue Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Being Resilient Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Being Happy
Titles in the series (3)
Being Happy: Part 1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Being Happy: Part 2 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Being Happy: Part 3 Managing Your Expectations Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related ebooks
The Pursuit of Happiness: The Art of Not Taking Offence & Going with the Flow Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Being Happy: Part 2 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Being Happy: Part 3 Managing Your Expectations Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Honor Your Inner Treasures: Finding Fulfillment & Happiness Through Harmony of Mind & Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings#Choosehappy: Letting Go of Your Past, Overcoming Fear and Choosing to Live the Happy Life You Deserve. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStrengthen Yourself! Find Your Life's Purpose, Unlock Your True Potential, and Accelerate Your Success! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaster Your Mind Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pursuit of Happiness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSound Of The Mind Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaking Contact: How To Connect With People Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWorkbook on 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson | Discussions Made Easy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gratitude Gateway: How an Attitude of Gratitude is the Gateway to transforming your Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdversity Is Your Greatest Ally ~ How To Use Life Challenges As Stepping Stones To Live The Life Of Your Dreams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Rhonda Byrne's The Power Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBreaking Bread Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGet Out of Your Own Way: A Little Book of Positive Poetry Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDear Friend... Escape Your Poverty Consciousness Box: A Speak-Aloud Energetic Meditation to Usher in Financial Abundance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI AM....SUCCESS: A Roadmap for Defining and Fulfilling a Life Vision of Holistic Success Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeeking Inner Peace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Leadership Forge: 50 Fire-Tested Insights to Solve Your Toughest Problems & Get Great Results Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHappiness Guide: Live happily here and now! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tough Cookies Don't Crumble: Turn Set-Backs into Success Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven Truths About Honesty and Integrity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLiving With Life's Limps Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHave a Life Attack: Live, Love, and Laugh Full Out Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 7 Gears Between Cause & Effect Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Power of Choice: Success and Your Life Purpose Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHappy Simple Life Habits Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Self-Improvement For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How May I Serve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Think and Grow Rich (Illustrated Edition): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Stolen Life: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You're Not Dying You're Just Waking Up Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Reviews for Being Happy
9 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Being Happy - David Tuffley
Being Happy: Part 1
David Tuffley
Pleasure is spread through the earth
In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.
~William Wordsworth
Published by Altiora Publications
Copyright 2011, 2013 David Tuffley
Smashwords Edition
Acknowledgement to Nicola Tuffley
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
This eBook forms part of the Being Happy series:
Being Happy: Part 2 | Part 3
Other books by this Author
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
MASLOW
EXPERIENCE THINGS