Harmony with Self, Others, and the World as Key to Happiness

"Across cultures and philosophical traditions, from the ancient Greeks to Confucian teachings, harmony-with self, others, and the world-has long been heralded as an integral aspect of well-being. Etymologically, at the heart of the word harmony is the notion of concord and relationality: a dynamic coming together of different components that, through their mutual support and dependence, allow things to flourish."

"Emerging research in psychology continues to highlight harmony's role in a good life, with scholars describing it as a core quality of mental health and as the " golden thread " running through all aspects of well-being. Harmony may be key to life altogether. "Thousands of years of human history have shown that living in harmony is the first prerequisite for survival," says Delle Fave."

"A decade into the birth of positive psychology, right as the field was bursting with research on human flourishing, psychologist Antonella Delle Fave decided to return to the basics-to the very definitions of happiness. Together with an international team of colleagues, Delle Fave asked people from seven countries first, and from 12 countries some years later, to share their lay definitions of happiness. The findings were striking: for most people, happiness meant inner harmony and harmony in relationships."

Surveys across seven then twelve countries found that most people defined happiness as inner harmony and harmony in relationships. Harmony appears across cultures and philosophical traditions, emphasizing concord, relationality, and dynamic mutual support among components that allow flourishing. Emerging psychological research highlights harmony as central to mental health and a unifying quality across aspects of well-being, even described as a " golden thread ". Historical patterns suggest living in harmony is a fundamental prerequisite for survival. Tension exists between drives for individuality and autonomy and the dependence on relationships for growth and well-being.

Read at Psychology Today