The Pursuit of Happiness: Eastern vs. Western Philosophies
By Bri Keary AEP Grad Cert. Mental Health (Candidate)
In 1978, a groundbreaking study delved into the subjective levels of happiness among individuals who won the lottery and those who survived car accidents, becoming paraplegics or quadriplegics. Initially, there was a stark contrast in perceived happiness between these groups.
However, within six months, both accident survivors and lottery winners seemed to adapt to their new circumstances, returning to a baseline level of happiness. Surprisingly, lottery winners were found to be relatively less happy than before compared to the paralysed victims. This challenges traditional Western notions of happiness, which often prioritise the pursuit of more.
Western ideas of happiness
Western understandings of happiness often emphasise maximising positive experiences and minimising negative ones. (Read more here and here) However, researchers in the study mentioned above suggested that the contrast and habituation components of Harry Helson’s Adaptation Level Theory played a significant role in these results. This leads to the concept of the “hedonic treadmill,” where individuals constantly seek more to achieve happiness. But, as Rabbi Hyman Schachtel pointed out, true happiness might lie in wanting what one already has.
If this is so, why do we spend most of our time desperately seeking changes in circumstances? Perhaps we are slaves to primal evolutionary instincts that no longer serve us. (Read more)
Eastern Philosphies
Eastern cultures, on the other hand, place a greater emphasis on collectivism and individual connection to a greater truth. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism are the primary Eastern philosophies that influence well-being. They share the common theme of altruism, promoting selfless acts to enhance the well-being of others without expecting personal gain.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama
Buddhism encourages abandoning the desire for different circumstances that ultimately creates ‘dukkha’, or mental suffering, and instead calls for compassion, mindfulness and living through one’s authentic values. This has been said to lead in itself to a more authentic state of bliss or peace, something far deeper than the common understanding of happiness. Buddhism shares some values with Taoism (also spelt Daoism), in the sense that an ultimate goal is to honour nature and be content with one’s current life situation, emphasising that “enough is as good as a feast”. (Read more)
Taoism promotes “Wu Wei,” or effortless action, to achieve harmony and efficiency, letting go of worries about things beyond one’s control.It brings forth a way of living in which one achieves free-flowing, unforced efficiency and harmony, during both the most significant and mundane tasks in life. It means observing the ebb and flow of existence, knowing when to either act in line with one’s values or to accept that something is out of their control. This is said to provide an escape from the mental suffering we naturally create for ourselves by worrying about the things we can’t change, and instead directs our energy towards the things that align with our deeper values.
Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that identifies one’s life purpose through doing what they love, providing value to others, and more.
The modernised version of Ikigai is said to be achieved through four attainments:
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- Doing what you love,
- What provides value to others,
- What you’re good at, and
- What you can be paid for.
Recent research is finding not only the benefits of Ikigai on one’s sense of self and fulfilment, but as a protective factor of health. Ikigai was found to be linked to less ill-health and all-cause mortality.
The Ikigai-9 is a subjective measurement tool that has been translated into English to analyse levels of Ikigai. Click here to explore this further.
Are Western Values Evolving?
Western cultures are increasingly recognising and appreciating Eastern values like mindfulness and gratitude. Research highlights the positive effects of these practices on subjective happiness, anxiety reduction, and work productivity. (Read more here, here and here)
In conclusion, the pursuit of happiness is a complex and often elusive endeavour. While Western ideals are evolving to incorporate Eastern philosophies, it’s essential to consider whether the pursuit of happiness, as measured in traditional studies, is the right goal. Eastern philosophies suggest that contentment despite life circumstances may be a more meaningful pursuit. Explore what aligns with your values and stay curious, as our friends from the East may indeed hold valuable insights into the pursuit of true happiness.
