"Positive psychology is about scientifically informed perspectives on what makes life worth living. It focuses on aspects of the human condition that lead to happiness, fulfillment, and flourishing."
~The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2005
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
~Aristotle
Confucius (551-479 BC)
Chinese philosopher
His moral teachings emphasized self cultivation, emulation of moral exemplars, and the attainment of skilled judgement rather than knowledge of the rules.
The 5 virtues that Confucius valued
~Jen: the "currency of goodness"
~Chun tzu: the mature person
~Li: propriety (the doctrine of mean)
~Te: the power of moral example
~Wen: the arts of peace
propriety, in my understanding, is appropriate behavior, manners.
Lao-Tzu: b. 604 BC
Taoism
wu wei
Lao Tzu taught that all straining, all striving are not only vain but counterproductive. One should endeavor to do nothing (wu-wei). But what does this mean? It means not to literally do nothing, but to discern and follow the natural forces -- to follow and shape the flow of events and not to pit oneself against the natural order of things. First and foremost to be spontaneous in ones actions.
The five colours blind the eye.
The five tones deafen the ear.
The five flavours dull the taste.
Racing and hunting madden the mind.
Precious things lead one astray.
Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.
He lets go of that and chooses this.
Hinduism
Worlds third largest religion
predominance in South Asia
Upanishads: Hindu scriptures that constitute core teachings of Vedanta.
Vedanta is based on two simple propositions.
~Human nature is divine.
~The aim of human life is to realize that human nature is divine.
Bhagavad Gita: 700 verses of sacred hindu scripture, taught by Krishna, who is revered by Hindus as a manifestation of God Himself, and is referred to within as Bhagavan, The Divine One.
The path of desire: pleasure and success
The path of renunciation: duty (faithful performance) and liberation (freedom from life's limiations)
Finding the "beyond within"
~brahman: root "to grow" The eternal unchanging reality which is the Divine ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe.
~Atman: root "breath" It is one's true self beyond identification with the phenomenal reality of worldly existance.
Buddhism: "falling awake"
B. 563 BC, Nepal, as Siddhartha Guatama
4 Noble Truths
~Suffering exists
~Desire exists
~Release from our cravings=release from suffering
~The 8-fold path is the path toward release
The Eightfold Path
The "Right" Way
1. Views: recognizing suffering and its cure
2. Intent: maintaining focus on our goal
3. Speech: speaking with truth and clarity
4. Conduct: acting with compassion
5. Livelihood: work in ways that promote life
6. Effort: virtues will replace ego
7. Mindfulness: steady attention to thoughts/feelings
8. Concentration: cultivating awareness and conciousness
"Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence."
~Aristotle
