Happiness

by Joan D. Chittister

Everyone wants to be happy. Many, however, wrongly believe that happiness comes from having enough money, fame, personal comfort, worldly success, or even dumb luck. Happiness just seems to be so elusive and arbitrary -- something all too often just out of reach.

Joan Chittister sees happiness differently. To her it is not a by-product of wealth or success but, rather, a personal quality to be learned, mastered, and fearlessly wielded. Happiness, she says, "is an organ of the soul that is meant to be nourished." In these pages Chittister develops “an archeology of happiness” as she conducts a happiness “dig” through sociology, biology, neurology, psychology, philosophy, history, and world religions. Sifting through the wisdom of the ages, Chittister offers inspiring insights that will help seekers everywhere learn to cultivate true and lasting happiness within themselves.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian, Nonfiction

225 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Joan Daugherty Chittister, O.S.B., is an American Benedictine nun, theologian, author, and speaker. She has served as Benedictine prioress and Benedictine federation president, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women.

Reviews

[Valeska · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fascinating. The first half of the book is dedicated to modern psychological studies concerning happiness - what brain chemicals create the feelings of happiness, what behaviors lead to create more happiness, and how happiness has been viewed through history. When I read Stumbling on Happiness, I remember it was tough learning that most studies showed that happiness or pleasure was more appreciated when it wasn't quite satisfied, but it did not give much framework as to if pursuing happiness was still important. In this book, Sister Chittister gives reasoning and thoughts as to why the pursuit of happiness is integral to our life.

I picked this book for my Lenten reading because it was written by Catholic sister. I was expecting more of a religious viewpoint towards happiness such as Father Martin's book, Between Heaven and Mirth. It was a happy surprise that she instead focused on happiness in a more universal way. After she went through the psychological studies, she discussed the early philosophers' take on happiness. At page 175, she started going through the major world religions' view on happiness starting with Hinduism. At the end, she summarized what each world religion (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) could teach us about the road to happiness and a fulfilling life.

If one of my friends chooses to read this book, I will gladly buy them a warm beverage of their choice and a pastry if we can then discuss the book. I would love to hear another person's take.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A multifaith and philosophical introduction to happiness as a spiritual concern, connected to Korten's notion of The Great Turning, & Seligman's efforts to engage psychologists and sociologists in understanding happiness and the healthy person, Chittister provides her usual clear, measured thoughts.

[Xavier University Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough and surprisingly philosophically laden look at the search for happiness through the ages. This reads differently than most of Chittister's texts. It feels more like scholarly research with an introductory primer to Greek ethics and world religions than anecdotes of personal experiences with applied theological concepts, but it is effective nonetheless.

[Mrs. Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this fascinating. Did you know that Bhutan has made happiness a national goal, and that there's an index to measure happiness? And that countries that rate higher on equality also rate higher on happiness? Read this!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intelligent thoughtful author

[Tree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the author's unique view on happiness - that we are responsible for our own happiness and that it is important to achieve it.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be read more than once. I need to read it again before I write a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most thoughtfully-written and thought-provoking book I've read on happiness, a fascinating book.

[Mandy]

Absolutely love her poetic way of writing.

[Tom Parlante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished it some time and am now going back to read it again.

[Kathy Nealen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite living nun who I have not met.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big Joan Chittister fan!

Sometimes this book meanders, but Joan's wisdom shines through, as it always does in anything she puts her name on.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and it seems to have found its way to me at the right time. The author makes a complete review about happiness as an ideology and as something the human race has wondered about since the beginning of times, going from the perception of it from greek philosophers, to scientists, to the four greatest religions. It really reminds us of what is really important, and I hope I can put what I learned in practice.

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

One big definition.

[Nikkers]

Got to page 46. Stopped reading as it seemed to be more a study of what happiness in a very academic way. It wasn't resonating at all.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chittister's book on happiness is well founded on the best thoughts regarding happiness set forth over the history of mankind. Its too bad that she didn't have Jordan Peterson's work to take into consideration as she pondered and wrote.

I wish she would write a book about the Soul.

I wish she was my neighbor. I would love to sit down with her and think about love, the soul, and happiness!

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chittister's book is like a collection of short essays on happiness. It's a simple read; the format makes it accessible. And it gave me plenty to think about.

The most impactful piece from the book was the happiness is a cultivated way of life. It's not immediate, not the product of instant gratification -- even though these things can spark a little happiness within us. Chittister is talking more about a way of life, an outlook of joy and a way of engaging the world around you. She says happiness is a result of a disciplined outlook, perhaps a choice, an intention.

I didn't make it through the whole book. I felt I got what I was looking for in the first third. I, to the part I got in the book, didn't see Chittister anchor happiness in a source beyond the human self or individual. As in, Happiness is my own making, rather than the result of something beyond myself, like the work of God. Yet, even that would be within one's self... if that makes sense.

[Lois Peterson]

150.42 C449H