The Science of Happiness

When some people hear the claim that Buddhist meditation is a scientific method for bringing about lasting happiness, they can be skeptical.

“Scientific? Really?”

Yes. Really!

In general, science is associated with the study of the material world, but actually science is a methodology in which we acquire knowledge through observation and experimentation. It is precisely through this methodology that Buddha arrived at his insights into reality, and in the practice of Buddhist meditation we learn to observe and experiment (with our mind!) so as to reproduce, and thereby verify, Buddha’s results for ourselves.

What are these results? Happiness!

Buddhist meditation is an inner science, and it is geared towards fulfilling our deepest wish, which is our wish for happiness.

Whereas our material science has brought about astounding external developments, it has never produced true, lasting happiness. How could it? Happiness is a state of mind and so its causes lie in the mind.

Through the inner science of meditation, Buddha discovered these actual causes of happiness.Through applying the practice of meditation in our life we verify Buddha’s insights directly in our own experience. We become the inner scientist, and in the process learn how to skillfully let go of those states of mind that give rise to our unhappiness, and to nurture those inner states of peace, kindness, wisdom and love that give rise to feelings of authentic happiness.

During the initial talk and ensuing four class series, all of which will include guided meditations, we learn how to apply this wonderful inner science to our own minds, thereby greatly improving our own lives, and the lives of those around us.