Summary
Experts from around the world shared insights into the concept of happiness during the virtual summit
The summit was organised by the Amity Institute of Applied Psychology and Allied Sciences
In a one-of-a-kind initiative, Noida-based Amity Institute of Applied Psychology and Allied Sciences hosted an international summit on global happiness which saw participation of experts from across the world.
“Happiness has a different meaning for different people. While some people may find happiness in materialistic things, others may want a fulfilling career or a relationship to be happy,” said Neil Korbin, founder president, Academy of Mindfulness Studies, California, the United States of America (USA), one of the speakers at the summit.
“Also, when we do certain things which we do not enjoy, we feel stressed and mentally burdened. Therefore, we should enjoy the work which we do and feel happy while doing it,” he added.
Speakers at the summit included Rick Levy, founder, the Levy Centers for Mind-Body Medicine and Human Potential, USA; Prema N Mysore, educator, Rishipath International Foundation, India; Uma Shankar Singh, adjunct professor, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Poland, and Tenzing Longsel, research assistant, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Sikkim, India.
“There are five states of the mind, according to our Rishis. The first one is Kshipta, which is the lowest state of mind, where a person is highly agitated and unable to think, listen, or keep quiet. The second state is Moodha where no information seems to reach the brain and the brain is blank. The third one is the Vikshipta state in which the mind receives information but seems unable to process it, while the fourth state is Ekagra which is a focussed state of mind. The last and fifth state is Niruddh which is free from all thoughts and desires. Asanas, Pranayam, Mudras, Chanting, Dhyan and Samadhi help us in attaining everlasting happiness, which brings mental peace and stability. Also, tyaag or sacrifice is one of the important means to attain happiness,” said Uma Shankar Singh, one of the speakers at the summit.
Elaborating the Buddhist philosophy and principles of happiness, Tenzing Longsel said, “There are Four Noble Truths in Buddhism – truth of suffering, truth of cause of suffering, truth of cessation (ending) of suffering and truth of path leading to cessation. We have to be kind, compassionate and considerate about others as our happiness depends on the happiness of others in our environment. We do not exist in isolation and share a symbiotic relationship with all creatures in our surroundings. Therefore, we must look beyond ourselves and care for others too which, in turn, makes us happy.”
The speakers also answered questions from the audience during a question-and-answer session at the summit.
Last updated on 23 Mar 2022
