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What are the Requirements for Happiness, and are We Meeting Them?

Submitted by Andrew Keel, Published on Fri, 02/08/2013 - 16:42

What are the Requirements for Happiness, and are We Meeting Them?

As a global society there is surely no better cause than seeking sustained happiness for as many of the world’s people as possible. To help with this cause this work aims to outline the things we need in order to be happy, and explains how, for many of us, these needs are not being fully met. It appears human beings (homo sapiens) have at least three requirements for a generally happy existence: basic health, positive social relationships and a meaningful purpose. Without all three of these needs met it is unlikely, perhaps even impossible, for someone to be able to live happily throughout their life.

Free Will and Mastering your Environment

Submitted by Mike Persin, Published on Thu, 11/22/2012 - 06:10

Does the environment create the man, or does the man create his environment?

As many scientific studies show, the environment we grow up in affects the type of person we become--from our genes to our personality to our looks. The foods we eat and our emotional responses to certain events in our lives also shape us. This may seem to thwart the whole “free will” argument, and to a greater or lesser extent it does. Thieves, murderers, rapists, and the like are brought up in an environment where such behaviors can occur.

Seeing the positives from the negatives

Submitted by Andy Cantwell, Published on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 17:42

A month ago I attended the wedding of a close friend of mine. It was a beautiful, non-religious ceremony and a fantastic time was had by most during the following reception. During the reception I began a conversation with one of the bride's close friends from her university days.

Generalizing Grief for the Greater Good

Submitted by Ryan Johnson, Published on Sun, 07/08/2012 - 16:52

Have you ever been to a funeral or memorial service? The grieving family and friends have their attention divided between holding back their inner sobs and trying to relate to others who are gathered to share their memories. The harmony of quivering voices overlaying a solemn code of conduct gets punctuated by bouts of laughter from the telling of funny anecdotes. I suspect the comical stories are tacitly required so that participants have some sanctioned relief from the somber mood.

Structural Dishonesty

Submitted by andreguantanamo, Published on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 03:36

I work in a warehouse where we receive refrigerators and stoves from manufacturers, perform quality control on them, attach some standards stickers and company logos to them and then sell them as our own products. We are the very definition of a middle-man, and sad will be the day when the retailers and manufacturers realize that they could get by without us. But for the time being we facilitate things well enough to be a profitable business.

The Inclusive Democracy Movement

Submitted by Ijon Tichy, Published on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 00:19

Inclusive Democracy is an international project/ movement that seems to be almost identical to TZM. The movement was co-founded by professor Takis Fotoupolos. It seems to have chapters and related activities in at least 6-9 countries, including the US and the UK, and some of its educational materials are available in several "foreign" languages in addition to English.

Observation on The Zeitgeist Movement

Submitted by Jacob Rueda, Published on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 18:19

I've been watching and listening to Peter Joseph for the past while now. I remember first seeing him and thinking that he made a lot of sense, which he does, but I do have some concerns over what I consider to be missing elements.

A Night Without Dawn

Submitted by Erick Z, Published on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 02:05

Una noche sin amanecer Many say that the worst is yet to come, things will not improve, that the collapse is inevitable and there is not much you can do, that the future is bleak and we are in a night without dawn...

Infinite Unfolding

Submitted by jandvig, Published on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 20:57

I teach yoga. I decided to take a certification program 6 years ago when an inner voice inspired me to do so. During this yogic journey, life is evolving rapidly for me. At the onset of studying "yoga" I had no idea what this practice even was, aside from a story I read telling about its beginnings and purpose. My yogic path underwent several phases; misunderstanding, egoic desire, confusion, amazement, courage, compassion, and finally empowerment.

Is There Such Thing as a "Utopia?" What is After Instant Creation?

Submitted by Mike Persin, Published on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 20:50

If you want to have a sandwich for lunch, you must first think of the sandwich before you manifest it in your reality. This is true for everything you want to have, even though not everything we desire comes to fruition. We must create everything in our little thought realm before bringing it forth into existence.