Thinking Beyond Science

People came upon real happiness not in moments of activity, but in moments of enforced quiet and reflection—a paradox revealed so vividly during lockdowns around the world. This period did not just block familiar pleasures; it also created space to notice overlooked wonders and rediscover the goodness of life outside our routine cravings and diversions. In these slowed-down days, happiness emerged in new forms, inviting a deeper understanding of what it truly means to thrive.

Rediscovering Simplicity
With fewer distractions, many were surprised by how much joy could be found in simply being present. People listened to birdsong with fresh ears, cherished the feeling of walking an ordinary path, and relished the silence that replaced the usual urban din. Some took up meditation, learning to be receivers rather than transmitters—attuned to the gentle, persistent rhythms of the world around them. This awakening wasn’t just about feeling good—it showed how real happiness is rooted in conscious attention and gratitude.

Beyond Pleasure: Knowing and Doing Good
Deprived of many familiar outlets, individuals did not collapse into passivity. Instead, they became more attuned to each other’s needs, turning their energy toward doing good. Shopping for high-risk neighbours, reaching out to lonely friends, and homeschooling children—all these intentional acts shifted focus from harm avoidance to active well-doing. During restrictions, people entered the realm of knowing good (understanding the value of virtue and connection) and doing good (taking concrete steps to nurture it). These became the twin pillars of authentic happiness, echoing moral teachings from traditions old and new.

Virtue and Happiness: Ancient Wisdom
The Christian monastic tradition, like most classic religious approaches, has always tied happiness to virtue. Feeling good is not inherently bad, but on its own, it offers no reliable guide to moral action. Many adopt the rule “avoid harm to others” as their moral compass; yet this principle can result in a neglect of the interior life—the wellspring from which all outward actions flow. During lockdowns, as external actions dwindled, the importance of cultivating goodness within grew clearer than ever.

The Trap of Pleasure and Consumer Culture
Modern consumer culture perpetuates the misconception that happiness = pleasure. Yet those who isolate happiness as pleasure soon find it fleeting. Monks and nuns, for instance, enjoy life’s simple joys—scenic beauty, artisan honey and wine, laughter among friends. Pleasure is undeniably valuable, but it does not guarantee happiness; instead, those who are already happy are best able to savor pleasurable experiences. Happiness, as with gold, demands discernment—a deliberate search for authenticity over abundance.

The Many Faces of Happiness
To be “happy” encompasses a wide array of states: being in love, content, joyful, lucky. The Latin word felix means both happy and lucky, with roots tracing back to the Greek for “fertile”. Ancient happiness was tied to luck—fertility, fortune, and the unpredictable gifts of the gods. European languages still echo this origin; the German das Gluck means both happiness and luck, while in French, le bonheur (happiness) is rooted in augury and omens—favorable signs from the universe.

From Luck to Philosophy: Enter the Greeks
Over time, happiness evolved beyond luck and ritual sacrifice. Ancient Greek philosophers, like Heraclitus and Plato, sought permanence in a world of flux, contemplating the fixed forms and ideas underlying reality. Plato claimed that true happiness arises from the fulfilment of our deepest desires—those that echo the world of perfect goodness and beauty. He shifted the focus from passive recipients of luck to active seekers of meaning, linking desire to intentional action.

Between basic needs and happiness lies luck; but between chosen desire and fulfilment lies the possibility of action—and, crucially, reflection. Philosophers debated the merits of different desires, exploring how their wise pursuit leads to the ‘happy’ possession of what is good and beautiful. This legacy endures, challenging the modern temptation to equate joy with mere consumption.

Living Happiness Today
The lessons of quiet periods and philosophical reflection are clear: real happiness grows through awareness, virtue, and meaningful action—not just pleasure or luck. In moments of enforced stillness, people discover that lasting joy involves noticing beauty, cultivating inward goodness, and engaging purposefully with the world. The outcome is richer than transient pleasure—a happiness that is chosen, earned, and shared.

Whether in tranquil walks, acts of kindness, or ancient debates, the search for happiness remains a fertile field. Those who journey beyond the obvious rewards of pleasure and luck may find, as Plato did, that the truest happiness rests in possessing what is good and beautiful, both in life and in spirit.

Source : Finding Happiness: Monastic Steps For A Fulfilling Life by Abbot Christopher Jamison

Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136441675-finding-happiness

Read the Next Article in the Series :