Through my travels in Bhutan, I conversed with the local people, especially the youth and was pleasantly surprised. They were all fully aware of the GNH (Gross National Happiness). I asked random people if they were happy, and I got great responses. I pressed a young college student if he desired a BMW? His response, ‘I am happy with the car I have. If I do well and buy a BMW, I will be happy too’ The Buddhist foundation of their culture was the key reason why the people were so grounded and happy, even the youth!
The Royal Government of Bhutan made the decision to develop GNH indicators in order to move the concept of GNH from the point of academic discourse to a measurable one.
The indicators aim to check whether programs and policies are consistent with the values of GNH. The government intends to create conditions for situations to be better-assessed and for policy-makers to be better-informed in taking appropriate measures for actual implementation of GNH policy & programs. Adrian White of the University of Leicester in England produced the first global ranking of happiness (although he called it "subjective well-being") in 2006. And even though it's a first run, it feels curiously right.
The top 10 of the 178 countries ranked was dominated by Nordic social democracies, with Denmark as No. 1; Iceland, No. 4 (before the country's economic meltdown); Finland, No. 6; and Sweden, No. 7. The United States was a respectable No. 23. That was behind Canada at No. 10, but way ahead of the United Kingdom at No. 41, France at No. 62 and Japan at No. 90.
The bottom of the list was made up of countries that ought to be at the bottom of the list: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, No. 176; Zimbabwe, No. 177; and Burundi, No. 178. And then there was Bhutan. It came in at No. 8. It was the only top-20 country with a very low GDP.
India came in at number 125!
Her Holiness GuruMaa has taught us that the key to happiness is managing expectations. Expect nothing from everyone around you, and you will always be happy!! Be content with what you have and you will be happy! His Holiness Dalai Lama says that happiness can be achieved through training your mind. Here mind refers to your psyche, spirit, intellect, feeling – heart and mind. Inner discipline can transform your attitude, outlook and approach to living. Eliminate factors which lead to suffering, and cultivate those which lead to happiness.
Have you met a Lotto winner who has been really happy? Have you see a poor or disabled or disadvantaged person who has been really happy? The probability of the latter is much, much higher than the former. Happy people are not self-centered or self-indulgent, writes Howard Cutler. Happy people, in general, are more sociable, flexible, creative and tolerant. They are more loving and forgiving.
Be happy, and surround yourself with happy people. Happiness is not about our material well being. It is a function of how we perceive our situation, how satisfied we are we what we have – how content are we!!
Develop the right mental attitude. Here are some simple rules:
Be positive.
Be thankful for all the blessings you have!
Be kind, giving, generous and forgiving.
Be selfless. Focus on strengths of everyone around you.
Manage down your expectations!
Be content and you will…. Be happy.
Wish you happiness, or rather contentment in the New Year!!
Start training your mind NOW!
