ABSTRACT
Back in the days when saber-toothed tigers roamed the Earth, humans always needed to be on the alert for danger. Anxiety and vigilance were the default channels of their brains. Likely there was little time for happiness. We’ve inherited our brains from these ancestors, including their “negativity bias.” In today’s world, this contributes to a great deal of unnecessary anxiety. However, our brains are plastic, i.e. able to change. Recalling past times of happiness and listening to stories of happiness from others increases the signal strength of our happiness channel. Expanding our awareness of sources of happiness in the present moment is even more beneficial. I’ve often invited educators to make lists of these sources and to add to them over time. Their lists have included: loved ones, nature, pets, music, art, and blue skies. The sources tend to be external. Thich Nhat Hanh regularly asked retreatants to recall having a toothache. Then he’d inquire, “Weren’t you happy when your toothache went away?” Of course, we were! He’d then conclude with, “How many of you are happy that you don’t have toothaches now?” He knew what a tremendous asset emotional resilience was for all of us. Building our mindfulness on a foundation of happiness gives us the strength we need to care for the suffering we also carry,
