This solo podcast is inspired by the BBC journalist Fergal Keane who has written an article about his search for happiness, a quest that has lasted 30 years. Did he find the answer? Yes, but not what he expected.
I go through his main points and add thoughts from my own journey, such as moments we have both had that can be described as the "lightness of being". Other points are:
- the science of happiness - "our minds are biased to interpret things very negatively", Professor Bruce Hood, University of Bristol
- there is such a thing as the Happiness Poverty Line, and too many of us are living below it
- it's difficult to achieve inner contentment in a "happy-obsessed world" where we are told to simply "be happy" (American psychotherapist Whitney Goodman)
- work is the great permissive addiction
- start with the simple small stuff to change your energy, your mind chatter
- acts of kindness are part of the solution (Finnish philosopher Frank Martela)
- ancient yogic scriptures support our life journey to help us get to a state of contentment
So, what is the secret to happiness? There is no secret.
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