{"id":3528,"date":"2023-07-29T08:42:31","date_gmt":"2023-07-29T12:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/dr-srikumar-raos-happiness-code\/"},"modified":"2023-07-29T08:42:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-29T12:42:31","slug":"dr-srikumar-raos-happiness-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/dr-srikumar-raos-happiness-code\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Srikumar Rao\u2019s Happiness Code"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

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The pursuit of happiness\u2014that\u2019s the goal, right?\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the illusion we\u2019ve been sold on, according to Dr. Srikumar Rao<\/strong>, the founder of The Rao Institute and trainer of the Mindvalley program, The Quest for Personal Mastery<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Because what exactly is happiness? Maybe it\u2019s marriage and a family. Perhaps it\u2019s making a million dollars. Or maybe it\u2019s even working for a company like Mindvalley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And the follow-up question is: why are we chasing it?\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the topic of conversation between Dr. Rao and Vishen, the founder of Mindvalley, on The Mindvalley Show. And drawing from a broad spectrum of philosophical traditions, Dr. Rao brings forward universal truths about happiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can listen to the full interview on The Mindvalley Show<\/a>:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ep\u00a0#009\u00a0| Cracking the Happiness Code with 3 Mind-Blowing Ideas from Dr. Srikumar Rao<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Illusions of a Happy Life<\/h2>\n

Society paints a really linear picture of what a happy life should look like. Good grades, a high-paying job, a loving partner, a beautiful home\u2014the list goes on.<\/p>\n

However, what most people eventually realize is that this society-approved version of a happy life doesn\u2019t always equal actual happiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all living under the illusion<\/em>,\u201d says Dr. Rao. \u201cIn all things, what we\u2019re searching for is a sense of fullness. That\u2019s what we\u2019re searching for\u2014the sense that we are complete, that there is incandescent joy in our life<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

For example, take a corporate high-flyer who, despite making the big bucks and ranking up the ladder, feels an inexplicable sense of emptiness. Or the stay-at-home mom who, despite having a beautifully decorated home and raising well-adjusted kids, experiences a lingering sense of dissatisfaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The reality is, since 2005, the global prevalence of depression has risen by 18%<\/a>, according to the World Health Organization. And the percentage of people who suffer from stress, anxiety, and addiction is equally alarming.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition, higher standards of living, as measured over time, have not been the ultimate happiness determinant. Especially in Western civilization, this increased prosperity has not proven to correlate directly with elevated levels of happiness.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is greater uncertainty than ever before<\/em>,\u201d says Dr. Rao. \u201cThere is economic anxiety. There is uncertainty about our relationships, and as a result of all of that, people are feeling unsettled<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The skills we learned in school and at work are valuable to contribute to society or our economic system, absolutely. However, they fail to teach us how to live meaningful, joyful, and purposeful lives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to Be Happy In Life: 3 Mind-Blowing Ideas From Dr. Srikumar Rao<\/h2>\n

Are you happy? It\u2019s a question that seems loaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we say we\u2019re happy, what we\u2019re really saying is, \u2018Nothing immediately is bothering me; all my needs are taken care of<\/em>,\u201d says Dr. Rao. But happiness, in its essence, goes beyond surface-level discussions.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s take a look at three of his most powerful ideas on how to build a happy life.<\/p>\n

1. Rethink success<\/h3>\n

This is what many of us have been taught: if you have [insert something that you think would make you happy<\/em>], then you\u2019ll be happy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For instance, if you marry the person your parents approve of, you\u2019ll feel fulfilled. Or if you make that CEO status, you\u2019ll find satisfaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But how many times have you achieved a milestone only to realize that the feeling is fleeting? Most likely, a lot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In fact, one study<\/a> found that life circumstances only account for about 10% of our happiness. It challenges the deeply ingrained belief that achieving societally approved success will lead to happiness.<\/p>\n

So how do you rethink success?\u00a0<\/h4>\n

According to Dr. Rao, the first thing is to understand that the goal you\u2019ve set isn\u2019t really about success. Rather, it\u2019s about the feeling<\/em> you assume you\u2019ll get when you hit your milestone. (Hence, if you have [insert something that you think would make you happy<\/em>], then you\u2019ll be happy.)<\/p>\n

The second thing, once you\u2019ve realized that, is to work towards those feelings. Because the thing is, you don\u2019t have to achieve that \u201cthing\u201d to feel ready to succeed. With mindfulness<\/a>, you can feel that now.<\/p>\n

Dr. Srikumar Rao on how to rethink your success: <\/strong>\u201cWhat we should be doing is recognizing that this is the dilemma that we\u2019re stuck in.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And then act\u2014but act knowing that we are acting because, you know, that\u2019s where life (the Universe) has placed us and not out of the thought that out of this action will come \u2018something which will fulfill me<\/em>.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Embrace Ananda<\/em><\/h3>\n

Ananda<\/em> is Sanskrit, often translated as \u201cbliss\u201d or \u201csupreme joy.\u201d However, Dr. Rao explains that it goes way, way beyond that.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a massive feeling of well-being that you can\u2019t describe it<\/em>,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt\u2019s as if you were floating through the air touching down gently to make contact with the Earth and then floating up again. There is a heavenly scent, a marvelous fragrance, great music around you everywhere. You\u2019re joyously floating, hardly touching ground at all. That is happiness<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Srikumar Rao on how to embrace <\/strong>Ananda<\/em><\/strong>: <\/strong>\u201cThe first thing you can do is recognize that what we see is happiness. You are Ananda. \u2026And the second thing is, recognize that all of our endeavors, which we think will bring us happiness, will not<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Rao goes on to explain that it doesn\u2019t mean to stop doing what you\u2019re doing. But to understand that the happiness and fulfillment you\u2019re seeking are within you.<\/p>\n

3. Live in gratitude<\/h3>\n

To say that the practice of gratitude is a powerful tool to boost your self-esteem<\/a> (and, in turn, your happiness) is an understatement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s plenty of research to support this, too. One study<\/a>, for instance, found that people who have a regular gratitude practice reported higher levels of:<\/p>\n

And according to ancient Indian philosophy, Ananda<\/em> isn\u2019t dependent on external circumstances. It\u2019s actually an inherent part of our being. And as you cultivate this profound state, you tend to have more positive thoughts<\/a> about yourself and the world around you.<\/p>\n