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Happiness and its Causes
Kerry Tabor shares her experiences at the Happiness and its Causes conference...
The fundamental motive for our work at Spirit of Design is to cultivate happiness through designs that promote balanced and beautiful living. Inspired by the dynamic themes and authentic speakers at last year’s conference I attended the Happiness and its Causes conference in Sydney again this year.
Once again it was an uplifting experience that was grounded simultaneously in spiritual wisdom, medical and scientific experience, and both personal and professional perspectives. It was recognised that there is a difference between material happiness, and happiness sourced in meaning and purpose and engagement with the world. It’s the difference between the short-lived happiness or pleasure gained from external stimuli, and the more sustaining happiness possible from a calm and compassionate mind, a generous spirit and ethical conduct.
Extensive research reinforces what we already know instinctively, that beyond having enough for basic needs, having more money and material possessions, does not make people happier. Tenzin Palmo was one of the speakers who asserted that trying to satisfy our superficial needs cannot create sustaining happiness. Clive Hamilton agreed that we live in a culture of “Affluenza”, where “more than enough is never enough”.
The creation of an intricate sand mandala by Buddhist monks during the conference demonstrated perfectly the impermanence of all things, the importance of being in the moment, as even with all the money in the world, true happiness and beauty can never be owned.
Several of the speakers reinforced my own personal experience that we can enhance our levels of happiness simply by taking time each day to notice and give thanks for ten positive things that have happened in our day. To find out more visit www.happinessanditscauses.com.au.