The Serenity Passport A world tour of peaceful living in 30 words

by Hayes, Megan C

• ISBN13: 9781781319161
• ISBN10: 1781319162
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2019-11-05
• Publisher: White Lion Publishing

Summary

Discover a calmer way of life with secrets drawn from cultures around the world.

The Serenity Passport is a joyful exploration of the different ways in which we relax and rejuvenate with practical lessons providing simple and effective ways for you to discover greater calm.

From ancient meditative practices to simple self-care philosophies, throughout history and around the world people have sought ways to live a more balanced life. In our busy, modern lives we are constantly seeking a deeper state of balance and calmness of mind. The words in this book will inspire you with new ways to find calm in everyday life, with a wealth of examples including:

• Ayliak – the art of living slowly and without worry (Bulgarian)
• Hózhó – a philosophy of wellness through balanced living (Navajo)
• Hoppípolla – jumping in puddles (Icelandic)
• Flâneur – the art of leisurely strolling (French)
• Utepils – a beer outside with friends (Norwegian)

Positive psychologist Megan C Hayes reveals the true meaning of each term and shows you how to bring a little more serenity to every area of life.

Author Biography

Megan Hayes is a researcher, writer, and pioneer of the Positive Journal® approach to personal writing. She is an expert in positive psychology, always seeking new techniques to help people flourish and find happiness. 

Regularly presenting her research at conferences across the globe, Megan is passionate about helping others find the tools they need to improve their wellbeing. She also has a personal interest in mental health issues, having grown up with a mother and sister who both experienced bi-polar episodes.

Megan is the author of Write Yourself Happy, The Happiness Passport and The Serenity Passport.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: Focus & Awareness
With an ever more enticing range of technological tools at our disposal, modern life comes with a side dish of constant distraction. To counter this, let us look at how cultures around the world opt to stay focussed.
Shu, Traditional Chinese – the virtue of having sympathetic concern for others 
Sati, Pali – mindfulness or awareness 
Ayliak, Bulgarian – the art of living slowly and without worry 
Flow, English – a state of energised focus and awareness in an activity; being immersed or ‘in the zone’ 
Ho'oponopono, Hawaiian – problem-solving or ‘setting to right’ process; forgiveness 
Apramāda, Sanskrit – articulates a sense of ‘moral watchfulness’ or awareness of ethical implications of one’s actions 
Feature spread – It’s in Our Nature... Take a Digital Detox and Seek Calm in the Outside World
Including: Russian listopad noun for ‘falling leaves’. Japanese Shirin-yoku ‘forest-bathing’. Icelandic hoppípolla, a verb for jumping in puddles. Urdu phrase dil baagh baagh ho-gaya, or ‘my heart became a garden’ to mean intense joy (illustrating how we link wellbeing and natural world). 
 
Chapter Two: Body & Wellness
Our minds and bodies are not distinct entities. As such, globally we have developed many traditions that promote gentle movement, focused breathing and balanced lifestyles as helpful paths to a calmer mind. 
Capoeira, Portuguese (Brazil) – a system of physical discipline and movement, treated as a martial art and dance form 
Prāṇāyāma, Sanskrit – breath control, include as ‘try this’: Ujjayi (particular practice of focussed breathing) 
Flâneur, French – the art of leisurely strolling 
Desabafar, Portuguese – to unburden oneself or ‘let off steam’, either through talking or an activity like running or walking 
Hózhó, Navajo – a philosophy of wellness through balanced living  
Hasya yoga, India and USA – laughter yoga; the practice of voluntary prolonged laughing 
Feature spread – Take a Dip: Ways We Bathe 

Chapter Three: Habits & Rituals 
To take the stress out of de-stressing, it can be useful to establish a regular, non-negotiable habit. Around the world we do just this with everyday rituals that keep us calm and connected to others.
Fika, Swedish – social coffee break, usually with pastries or cookies 
Mitzvah, Hebrew – kind or moral acts performed out of duty 
Nuchi-gusui, Japanese (from Okinawa) – the ritual of treating one’s food as ‘life medicine’, including hara hachi bu, the habit of eating until you are only ‘eight parts full’ for health 
Utepils, Norwegian – first beer outside with friends  
Dominguear, Spanish – to partake in activities associated with Sunday; literally ‘to Sunday’ or, domingueando, ‘Sunday-ing’ 
Sadhana, Indian – dedicated practice or learning 
Feature spread – Music to Our Ears... The Harmony of Song 
Including: Djembe drumming from West Africa (‘djé’ is the verb for ‘gather’ and ‘bé’ translates as ‘peace’). From Sanskrit: Kirtan chanting and Bhakti poetry. Romanian lyrical poetry, Doină. Arabic Taarab music, lit. ‘having joy with music’.
 
Chapter Four: Rest & Relaxation
Sleeping is perhaps the number one form of self-care there is, and is a well-practiced skill we all share, but what are some of the ways we like to rest and relax across the globe? From environments conducive to relaxing, to restful activities, here is a taste of the different ways we recuperate. 
Fredagsmys, Swedish – Friday cosiness
Villasukkapäivä, Finnish – a 'woollen socks' day
Abbiocco, Italian – drowsiness following a large meal
Fjaka, Croatian – relaxation of body and mind or the ‘sweetness of doing nothing’  
Couthie, Scottish – (of a person) agreeable, friendly, sympathetic; (of a thing or place) comfortable, snug 
Chouzourév̱o, Greek – the particular coziness of a lie in 
Morgenfrisk, Danish – feeling fresh and rested when you wake up in the morning  
Feature spread – The Serenity of Slumber
Includes: Spanish siesta and Italian meriggiare ‘to rest at noon (in the shade)’. Japanese inemuri: the practice of napping in public. Sanskrit yoganidra. Dutch questing: ‘to allow a lover access to one’s bed for chitchat’.  

Chapter Five: Patience & Poise
We often seek serenity when faced with the hardest of times. In such times, we humans display an astonishing capacity for resilience, in part thanks to cherished virtues and practices that bolster our resolve.
Gaman, Japanese (from Zen Buddhism) – enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity 
Belum, Indonesia – means ‘not yet’ but with an optimistic tint that an event might yet happen 
Upekṣā, Sanskrit – deep state of calm; equanimity 
Konfliktfähigkeit, German – literally ‘conflictability’ meaning the capacity to overcome disagreements, find a fair solution and generally promote tolerance 
Voorpret, Dutch – joy or pleasure ahead and in anticipation of the actual fun event. Includes: German noun vorfreude meaning similar, joyful anticipation derived from imagining future pleasures.
Feature spread – There For You... Finding Peace in Other People
Naz: Urdu word for the assurance in knowing that another’s love is unconditional and unshakable. Jeong/jung: Korean noun for deep affection, affinity, connectedness (may or may not be romantic). Sobornost: Russian for spiritual community of jointly living people. Anam ċara: Gaelic for soul mate that offers you honesty and belonging. Alamnaka: from Ulwa (Nicaragua), meaning to meet a kindred soul or find a relationship unlike any other you have had. Dozywocie: Polish for the parental contract with children guaranteeing lifelong support. Koi no yokan: Japanese for the feeling of knowing that you will soon fall in love with the person you have just met. 
 
Conclusion: A Map of Calm Around the World
Psychologist and expert compiler of a ‘positive lexicography’ of our world, Tim Lomas answers questions including: What is The Happy Words Project, and what does it illustrate about calm and serenity; Why do it is important to have a diverse, global view of wellbeing, and in particular serenity; How understanding these words can have a positive impact on all our lives.