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Fazal Ahmad, London, UK
It is easy to assume that the world is becoming more miserable and that there is a mental health tsunami on its way since the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Media, gaming, and other online activities are connecting people whilst also reducing face-to-face contact. The world is seeing a rise in conflicts, climate change, financial anxiety, poverty, and homelessness. Families have been getting increasingly isolated as individuals pursue wealth. There seems to be a mood of pessimism descending on the globe.
Yet, there are many examples where people are turning from worldly pursuits to community and spiritual development and finding greater fulfilment. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic isolated individuals and communities, it also acted as an air-brake to remind people of the need for community and to look out for each other. That communal benevolence has been sustained, as has the shift from working solely in an office to hybrid working, leading to an improved work-life balance for families. It is also noticeable that the acts of kindness and charity impact both the recipient and the giver in a positive way.
The latest World Happiness Report cited that when wallets were dropped in the street, the level of returned wallets was much higher than people would have expected. There were other interesting findings around how the level of happiness increased as the family size in a household increased.
It is also evident that the consumer boom hasn’t resulted in greater joy whilst those in low-income regions with significantly less consumer goods often seem more contented with their life and are relatively more generous and welcoming to strangers than billionaires in more affluent regions.
Religion and spirituality have a huge impact on the outlook and perception of people, and hence, their levels of happiness. This is because for religious people, attaining status and wealth in this world is not their primary objective, and they are always in the frame of mind to be grateful for whatever they have, even in times of hardship. This has been witnessed in recent years with those suffering in Gaza.
For Muslims this is encapsulated in the Holy Qur’an where they are promised hidden rewards in heaven for their good deeds:
“And no soul knows what joy of the eyes is kept hidden for them, as a reward for the good they used to do.” (Holy Qur’an 32:18).
Muslims are taught to expect trials and tribulations and to show gratitude and patience in enduring pain and suffering. With that mindset, they maintain grace as has been exhibited by civilians in Gaza despite facing extreme threats and terrible living conditions.
In Taoism, happiness is linked to the spiritual development of man:
“He who attains perfect beauty and wanders in perfect happiness may be called the prefect man” (Chuang Tzu 21).
Similarly, Buddhism teaches that true happiness in found in religion and not worldly pursuits:
“You should devote yourselves to find joy in pleasures of the Dharma, and should take no pleasure in desires” (Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti 4).
Hinduism states that the path to happiness lies in discipline and overcoming our base impulses and instincts:
“Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is well situated and is happy in this world.” (Bhagavad Gita 5.23).
Likewise, the Bible also describes the joy and pleasure that can be found by following a righteous and spiritual path in life:
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
It is within our grasp to find happiness based on our outlook on life and the society around us, and by helping others. Religion encourages adherents to serve others and to refine their behaviour to achieve true and lasting happiness.
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