Fable

Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Get It. Read It.

“I’m right, your biased!” I always wanted to say that.

• Want to know why you have a front row seat for the battle of good and evil?

• Want to know why Buddha wanted to leave the game but Krishna wouldn’t let him?

Who would win? And what’s the contest anyway?

Have you ever noticed how nondescript a title might be? And how enticing the sub-title is?

One of my favorite mainstream psychology books messed up its title. I think it should read:

The Modern Truth of Ancient Wisdom

This complaint is one of my bigger ones about the book.

The Happiness Hypothesis studies the sweeping literary traditions of Wisdom, Truth and Psychology. Jonathan Haidt distills this vast encyclopedia into an inspiring contemplation of life well lived.

Haidt creates a rich tapestry. We can project ourselves onto the canvas in search of answers to our compulsive questions:

• Want to know why your spouse is a hypocritical oaf?

The answer is here.

• Want to know three proven ways to increase happiness?

It’s here.

• Want to know why you cannot stop eating the piece of chocolate cake? Even when you’re stuffed?
• WTK (want to know) about the 100-million neurons in your gut? It has a mind of its own!
• WTK why your 10-year old kid (43-year old husband?) denies eating a cookie even as he rubs crumbs off his face?
• WTK why the right-brain is scared and the left brain is giddy?
• WTK why emotions are at least as important as reason for decision making?
• WTK why words related to “Professor” make people smarter at Trivial Pursuit?

What would “Ginger” make me better at?

• WTK why the effort to ignore an unpleasant thought ensures rumination?
• WTK why a mental lawyer stalks your post-mortems?
• WTK if you won the cortical lottery?
• WT meet the giggle twins?

They are very funny.

• WTK how to change your mind?
• WTK about a once-a-day pill to reduce anxiety and increase contentment?

It’s virtual.

• WTK about a second once-a-day pill to reduce anxiety and increase contentment?
• WTK how you are like a naked mole rat?
• WTK about the six principles salespeople use against us?
• WTK why you hide your faults “as a cunning gambler conceals his dice” [Buddha]?

Haidt recognizes Buddha was a wise man.

• WTK why you believe you inner lawyer with such conviction? And your rose-colored mirror?

“I’m right, your biased!” I always wanted to say that.

• WTK why you have a front row seat for the battle of good and evil?
• WTK why Buddha wanted to leave the game but Krishna wouldn’t let him?

Who would win? And what’s the contest anyway?

• WTK why hedonism feels so great, it sucks?
• WTK happiness is found in voluntary activities?

Maybe it’s better to be unemployed.

• WTK about the relationship between shame and plastic surgery?
• WTK about the pleasure you value more than chocolate after sex?
• WTK why you care about prestige more than happiness?
• WTK if Buddha is the greatest psychologist of the past three-thousand years?

The greatest!

• WTK about the monkey that won’t follow the rules?
• WTK about Bowlby, attachment and one of the foundations of modern psychology.

Bowlby might be the greatest unknown psychologist. I wonder if Haidt would agree. “Again... Predictable and reciprocal. Say it again. Predictable and reciprocal. Say it...”

• WTK how oxytocin is like glue?
• WTK about the modern myth of true love?

A besotted elephant is a dramatic force.

Here's a nugget. Haidt explains philosophy:

If you are in passionate love, and want to celebrate your passion, read poetry. If your ardor has calmed and you want to understand your evolving relationship, read psychology. But if you have just ended a relationship and you want to believe you are better off without love, read philosophy.

• WTK why freer people are more likely to kill themselves?
• WTK about post-traumatic growth?

It’s one of my favorite subjects.

• WT learn about your coherent and vitalizing life myth?

Actively cope. Don’t avoid coping.

Write. Feel better.

• WTK about finding meaning and purpose?

The virtue of Felicity...

What's that? Oh, Haidt meant “felicity of virtue.”

• WTK about the brilliance of the ancient writings on morality? And their great relevance today?
• WTK how Aristotle messed it all up?

Wait. That was Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance.

• WTK what was before positive psychology?
• WTK how postmodern justice relies on the myth of pure evil?

Volunteer! You’ll feel better.

• WTK about the human mind’s perception of a moral dimension?

Haidt, a professed Jewish Atheist, call this “Divinity.”

• WTK how disgust and awe go together like Wayne and Garth?
• WTK about the ethic of autonomy, community and divinity?
• WTK how we have been desacralized?

Is that even a word?

• WTK what “uplifted” is exactly?

Haidt explains why "awe is the emotion of transcendence." Get to know awe from one of its greatest students.

• WTK about why the self is the main obstacle for spiritual advancement?
• WT understand the red-, blue-state culture wars?
• WTK why modern philosophy seems so stale?

The Holy Question: “Tell me something enlightening about life.”

• WTK why you need effectance almost as much as you need food and water?
• WTK what is Vital Engagement?

Match doing well with doing good.

• WTK why cohere is better than transcend?

God gives us hives.

• WTK about the mystical experience and the off button?

I discussed this idea towards then end of my essay, ▲▼▲ Perspective: Objectify Yourself, Witness Life.

• WTK about ancient wisdom, modern science and the purpose within life?
• WTK a good place to find wisdom?

You’ll never guess.

You want to know, don’t you? Get the book. It’s awesome.