Try to write the Arabic word for “happiness” on Google search and you will be met with 24 million results, a huge number that reflects the desire of many to catch that hidden treasure which they spend their whole lives to achieve.
Verily, happiness is always a marketable commodity; a lucrative trade with permanent patrons who are ready to pay dearly to obtain it.
In a recent years, we have been exposed to a new fad, namely human development that seeks guidance of mankind and boosting their happiness and self-acceptance. As time goes by, happiness turns into an article sold to whoever is able to afford a ticket to human development courses or a book about how to achieve happiness in 24 hours.
The trend, having gained millions of disciples, is championed by people reveered as if apostles delivering divine messages that, rather than advocate better relations with one’s god, suggest better relationships with one’s self. The latest of those was Google’s engineer Chade-Meng Tan, who, after lengthy research, came up with his three-step revelation that would guide mankind to the keys of happiness, satisfaction and peace of mind.
As typical of Uncle Sam’s enthusiasm for creative ideas that can later prove marketable and profitable, Tan managed to convince his superiors to allow him to organize a staff training that would win his colleagues enhanced emotional skills and increased happiness. Indeed, he was referred to the personnel department to proceed with his scheme.
"Search Inside Yourself", that was the name given to the program, and was also given to a book issued later. The program now is not exclusive for Tan’s workmates, and the more inclusive courses now named Make Yourself the Happiest Person on Earth, advising three steps to that end:
1- Calm your mind
The first step is a short, group breath training that helps tranquilize the mind. “If that’s too hard, then just think about nothing for little bit”, says Tan, advising for a sort of meditation.
2-”Log moments of joy”
“I am having a moment of joy!”, this all you have to utter when experiencing something that makes you happy. A 2006 study found that people who register their daily positive experiences, no matter how minor, were notably happier and cherish the impact of that practice for several weeks later.
3-”Wish other people to be happy”
Altruism is a key to joy. According to Tan, giving draws more happiness than receiving.
Tan is telling facts, but they are the kind of facts that are known long ago; revealed through heavenly books. Those facts are not, however, applied by people because they do not give themselves any time for meditation or satisfy with what they have.
The astonishing part is eagerness by people, even in Islamic countries, to obtain such programs and books that offer them commodities less valuable than they already possess. Is it modernity, or is it hope that those have a practical key to happiness?
Edited translation from Al-Masry al-Youm
