[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Josy

I'm already happy as ****

or David Cameron would say happy as a pig in ****

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

or David Cameron would say happy as a pig in ****

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Josy

I'm already happy as ****

....

[Kizzy]

Hmmm, think you lot missed the mindful classes and went to the mindless ones next door

[Niamh.]

But look how happy we all are Kizzy

[bots]

I'm happy being miserable

[AnnieK]

If they help people, that's great. I don't think it would be for me....but could be an alternative to doctors doling out the anti depressants

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

If they help people, that's great. I don't think it would be for me....but could be an alternative to doctors doling out the anti depressants

What a good idea Annie thank you for your thoughtful response.

[Livia]

Quite interesting how this whole discussion hangs on a comment by the Dalai Lama. And yet... no one's questioned why a man of religion thinks he knows best. Had this been the Pope, the Chief Rabbi, virtually any other religious leader the anti-religionists would be questioning his right to tell people what they need when so many of us are perfectly happy.

[smudgie]

"If you're happy and you know it clap your hands"
3 or 4 rousing rounds should do the trick.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Livia

Quite interesting how this whole discussion hangs on a comment by the Dalai Lama. And yet... no one's questioned why a man of religion thinks he knows best. Had this been the Pope, the Chief Rabbi, virtually any other religious leader the anti-religionists would be questioning his right to tell people what they need when so many of us are perfectly happy.

By anti religionists you mean me, if not I'm the OP so I'll respond.
Personally I have no problem with any person regardless of their personal belief system, advocating making small inconsequential changes to their lives to make them happy, conversely not making any changes at all simply amending our perception of life in a positive way may benefit some.

Nobody is preaching here, however the fact that it is a religious man advocating this and I as a non religious person subscribe to it rather negates your argument. Why you feel I wouldn't accept the theory from others I have no idea.... It doesn't subscribe to any specific religious ideology, and if people are happy already then that's great this is probably not for you.

[King Gizzard]

Just think of flowers and you will be happy

[Kizzy]

Thanks for that nath, I do regularly think about flowers and other aspects of nature it really does make you feel happier. What a great suggestion.

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Thanks for that nath, I do regularly think about flowers and other aspects of nature it really does make you feel happier. What a great suggestion.

There was an article out a while ago that reckons if we all looked out on a green field for ten minutes of a morning it would be a more content and happy world.
I must admit that the simple things in life do make me and hubby happy, a drive into the country etc.
Thankfully we live in a rural area and can see the hills from the bedroom windows.

[King Gizzard]

I'm lucky to live close-ish to the broads and it's nice walking along there

[King Gizzard]

Well not really lucky, apart from that it's terrible

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

By anti religionists you mean me, if not I'm the OP so I'll respond.
Personally I have no problem with any person regardless of their personal belief system, advocating making small inconsequential changes to their lives to make them happy, conversely not making any changes at all simply amending our perception of life in a positive way may benefit some.

Nobody is preaching here, however the fact that it is a religious man advocating this and I as a non religious person subscribe to it rather negates your argument. Why you feel I wouldn't accept the theory from others I have no idea.... It doesn't subscribe to any specific religious ideology, and if people are happy already then that's great this is probably not for you.

Just to clarify... I wasn't referring to you at all.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

Quite interesting how this whole discussion hangs on a comment by the Dalai Lama. And yet... no one's questioned why a man of religion thinks he knows best. Had this been the Pope, the Chief Rabbi, virtually any other religious leader the anti-religionists would be questioning his right to tell people what they need when so many of us are perfectly happy.

I never really thought of Buddhism as a a religion, more of a way of life

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Livia

Just to clarify... I wasn't referring to you at all.

Ok then.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I never really thought of Buddhism as a a religion, more of a way of life

It's the fourth largest religion in the world.

[Kizzy]

This isn't advocating Buddhism, just happiness surely everyone including leaders of all other religions wants that?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

It's the fourth largest religion in the world.

There is no deity that they worship though

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

There is no deity that they worship though

No, it's not a faith in a deity as such... but they still worship at temples and follow a religious path. They have signs and symbols, they respectfully pray to Buddha, although this isn't an act of "worship". The Dalai Lama is a monk and is referred to as "His Holiness". I'm saying it's a religion.

[Kizzy]

Anyhoo... was looking at the events for Leeds and there's laughter yoga... that sounds fun

[kirklancaster]

No one needs 'Happiness Classes'. John Constable - one of my favourite artists (a REAL artist) said;

"No arrogant man was ever permitted to see nature in all her beauty."

But I would change this, and say; that "No ignorant man was was ever permitted to see nature in all her beauty. " because all anyone needs to make him/herself happier, is to take a few quiet moments every day to look at the trees and plants, grass and the sky - look at nature - and reflect upon how LUCKY we are to be alive.

I'm being deadly serious.