Two complex dimensions of happiness: Spiritual and Material ― Part 2 of 2

BY ERROL A. GIBBS

The desire to unravel the complexity of happiness behooves us to consider these two states of human existence — the SPIRITUAL and the MATERIAL.  Many individuals think of happiness as a “generic” human condition akin to being in a state of blissfulness. However, this hard-to-define phenomenon permeates spiritual-mindedness and material-mindedness. The imbalance between these two human mind states suffocate happiness, undergirded by a stronger desire for material existence.

The SPIRITUAL (divine) state of happiness requires a belief in a higher “Spiritual” power, not merely a faith but a transcendental belief. Most of humanity subscribes to a belief in the spiritual existence of God, gods, or a divine being. Faith in God characterizes spirituality, but more than a conviction. A spiritual person demonstrates the “fruit of the Spirit” in daily life toward others. In Christian maxim, the “fruit of the Spirit” is a demonstration of love, “joy,” peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS (“joy”) transcends all other forms of happiness. This path is a virtuous way that brings both happiness and “joy” to others and ourselves because it is the realization of the whole purpose of human existence. The spiritual pathway speaks to the foundation of God’s love (agápē) for His creation, which is absolute and unconditional. His love, manifested within us, breaks down barriers of intolerance among human beings regardless of color, race, class, culture, nationality, or religion.

When life’s unhappiness overwhelms us, spiritual happiness (joy) fills the vacuum to sustain us when everything else seems to fail. Spiritual Happiness is not an abstract state of being; neither is it an abstract notion. It rises above all other imperatives of happiness. It is the exception because it manifests both happiness and “joy,” which is internal to the human spirit and is lasting; it is living a life of higher virtues.

Spirituality compels us to choose light instead of darkness, love instead of hate, tolerance instead of intolerance, faith instead of fear, hope instead of despair, peace instead of war, and happiness instead of “unhappiness.” Arguably, people do not choose to be unhappy. Nevertheless, any act that fails to uplift the human spirit imbues unhappiness.

“The keyword of Ecclesiastes is vanity, the futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from God. The wisest, richest, most influential king in Israel’s history looks at life ‘under the sun’ (Ecclesiastes 1:9) and, from the human perspective, declares it all to be empty. Power, popularity, prestige, pleasure—nothing can fill the God-shaped void in man’s life but God himself!

Once seen from God’s perspective, life takes on meaning and purpose. …Skepticism and despair melt away when we view life as a gift from God. …No amount of activities or possessions has satisfied the craving of his [man’s] heart. Every earthly prescription for happiness has left the same bitter aftertaste.” The Book of Ecclesiastes, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., pp. 655–657.

Material prosperity cannot replace feelings of emptiness and lack of purpose experienced by affluent individuals and their families. Sadly, a loss of material wealth can often take the wealthy to the brink of hopelessness. The great and wise King Solomon of Israel must have peered into the future of the postmodern world, and decided to pen his most profound thoughts to enlighten humankind of the complexity of the “search for happiness.” His words light a path like a beacon for humanity to follow in the twenty-first century and the new millennium (Ecclesiastes 1:1–2).

Material compulsion fosters the need for material things to satisfy temporary human material and physical needs and wants. Necessarily, the human desire to seek, acquire, and maintain material possessions can fulfill only the outer person. Nevertheless, we can attain both spiritual and material happiness when we consciously and consistently seek to purify ourselves of the tendencies to act on selfish impulses.

Happiness and cultural norms such as political, religious, racial, cultural, and colour underpin such factors as “country of birth” and “worldview.” These intrinsic and extrinsic attributes have both a positive and negative influence on human relations despite our upbringing. We can begin to unravel the complexity with a positive mental attitude that bolsters happy thoughts to promote better relationships with others.

The vast experience that we share is the lesson of empathy for those whom some might deem inferior. It imbues others with feelings of inclusiveness and happiness as “joy” and outer happiness reign supreme in their lives. We urge all to “search for joy” in their lives, despite the circumstances under which we live, because individual happiness aggregates to happiness in the family, community, corporation, nation, and internationally.

We must also guard against every “action” or “inaction” that can amount to shirking our responsibility to bring happiness to the lives of others ―especially those unlike us. Fundamentally, this perspective is essential for “mutual survival,” for peaceful coexistence in harmony and happiness with others. Unhappiness can take root when human needs at the fundamental level are unfulfilled with little hope for fulfillment.