Is Meditation Really Making You a Happier Person? No.

It is not the meditation, it is your change of perspective.

Let’s get right into it!

We are not designed to be constantly happy.

At least that is what science tells us.

It is well researched that many of us possess something called optimistic bias, which means we tend to think our future will be better than our present.

And the same applies to our past.

In present moments of negativity, our brain reminds us of positive memories of the past where everything seemed to better. This is especially true for older people.

Now, these delusions likely serve a purpose and could be an “adaptive part of the human psyche”, which enables us to keep striving. We see the good things in the past and potential better life in the future and keep going for it.

The problem is that those “good things” are mostly external!

Meaning, when it comes to reaching happiness, we make it primarily about external stimuli such as things to buy, places to see, and activities to do. We take an external perspective and if we do not get the things we want, we become frustrated. Consequently, we should not rely on happiness.

However, there is another perspective, a more sustainable one.

Rather than looking outside, let us look inside and forget about happiness for a moment. Instead, let’s focus on joy.

Joyfulness is more powerful, more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are and how you are. Maximizing joy is done by looking deep into yourself and realizing that all thoughts and emotions are created within you.

Change your perspective

In order to achieve joyfulness, focus on the following in your meditation.

1. Cultivate gratitude

Gratitude is about appreciating the moment, the little things in life. Every new day in your life means potential new opportunities and growth.

2. Experience compassion

Compassion is about realizing that the world does not revolve around you but instead, you are part of a bigger collective intelligence. What you do, influences others, and what others do influences you. What the trees exhale, you inhale and vice versa. Everything is connected. If you realize this, you act with compassion naturally.

3. Practice Self-observation

Self-observation leads to self-transformation. And self-transformation often means to move away from your externally created self back to your true and original self. You’ll make better decisions regarding your work, your body, your mind, your life!

Heightened perception

In addition, practicing meditation improves your senses and subsequently, you will experience life more intensively.

Now, being more involved in life, will you give a stable dose of joyfulness.

You’ll feel the warmth of the sun more.

You’ll appreciate the smell of the rain.

You’ll be aware of the beauty of the sounds of nature.

Writing this article, I am in Mexico, immersing in the vibrant and colorful streets of this beautiful country.

Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash

A better functioning brain

Positive feelings have a direct influence on your brain, and specifically neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to grow, expand, and improve. With joy, your brain works better and you are more creative, alert, and engaged.

The learning? Focus on joyfulness and add happiness

Joyfulness is more sustainable and starts internally while happiness is more short-lived and triggered by external events.

It is ok to extract happiness from external factors but if you are able to make your well-being more independent of external stimuli, you have a stable internal base that will take you joyfully through every life experience.