A Unified Theory of Happiness

by Polard, Andrea F.

• ISBN13: 9781604077889
• ISBN10: 1604077883
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-28
• Publisher: Sounds True

Summary

The Western world teaches us that happiness comes from achievement-from setting goals and actively pursuing them. Eastern wisdom teaches us that surrender is the key, that we must let go in order to experience the great flow of being that is only available in the present moment. How do we take the best wisdom from both of these approaches, and honor what Dr. Andrea Polard calls the two wings of happiness that allow us to truly soar? Discover Dr. Polard's groundbreaking synthesis of Western thinking and Eastern philosophy with A Unified Theory of Happiness, a warm and personalized guide for the transformation of consciousness that allows personal well-being and fulfillment to flourish. While our lives are full of ups and downs, Dr. Polard teaches us that we don't have to let these ups and downs control our experience of life. A Unified Theory of Happiness teaches you the skills to choose and accept happiness by illuminating: How to navigate the active Basic Mode and the non-active Supreme Mode of consciousness to respond to life's complexities with flexibility Tools to build ambition, competence, confidence, and connection-essential aspects of reconciling with life's fragility and building an engaging, authentic self Paths to receptivity, tranquility, reliance, and lightheartedness-keys to accessing your natural connection with the whole of being, and realizing your non-dual self The Theory of Elastic Consciousness-a balanced place in perfect accord with an authentically lived life Happiness, says Dr. Polard, is a complex path that becomes easy only as we walk it. At last, here is a work that provides a comprehensive understanding of happiness that honors the full spectrum of life's offerings while broadening your experience of its inherent joy.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Introduction	p. 1
Happiness and The Two Modes of Consciousness
The Two Wings of Happiness	p. 7
The HappinessQuestionnaire	p. 31
The Basic Mode
The Fragility of Life	p. 49
Ambition	p. 53
Exercises	p. 67
Competence	p. 71
Exercises	p. 87
Connection	p. 91
Exercises	p. 121
Confidence	p. 125
Exercises	p. 150
The Supreme Mode
The Strength of Life	p. 155
Receptivity	p. 161
Exercises	p. 184
Tranquility	p. 187
Exercises	p. 225
Reliance	p. 229
Exercises	p. 260
Lightheartedness	p. 263
Exercises	p. 293
Conclusion a Synthesis of Western and Eastern Thought: The Theory of Elastic Consciousness	p. 295
Notes	p. 305
Happiness Resources	p. 349
Additional Reading List	p. 355
Index	p. 357
About the Author	p. 365
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