The Society of Happy People

 

I do the usual things when considering a blog topic: review some of the lessons learned about my writing; explore the lives of important or interesting people and analyse the momentous events of the day. I also check the calendar for important dates. To my surprise, I learned that August is ‘Admit You’re Happy Month.’

I discovered some intriguing facts about this important occasion. Its roots go back to the founding of the Society of Happy People on August 8, 1999, by a lady named Pamela Gail Johnson, from the Dallas area in Texas.

In 1998, it occurred to her that many happy people exist, but keep their happiness to themselves and wondered where all these happy people are.

She originally thought that her idea made for a good essay, but with a little encouragement from friends, started the Society of Happy People. She still manages the Society, and her official title is “Chief Happiness Officer.” Despite describing herself as an introvert—she enjoys cooking, yoga, chatting with friends and her book club—she keeps busy as a Keynote and Motivational Speaker. For over two decades, she has inspired and motivated thousands of people to find and keep more happiness, optimism and positivity.

Adults typically smile twenty times a day, compared to children, who smile four hundred times a day. However, she states, “no matter how often you smile, the more you smile, the better.” Smiling is contagious; one smile starts another. It has definitive cognitive effects: smiling retrains the brain to think more positive thoughts.

For "Admit You're Happy Month,' Johnson has organized a “31 Day ~ 31 Happiness” Challenge. The goal is to make people take stock of their lives and to do things that make them and others happy. The Society presents a “Happy Challenge” each day which is posted on social media—Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. 

Smile, and be Happy!!

Mohan Ashtakala (www.mohanashtakala.com) is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," a fantasy, and "Karma Nation," a literary romance. He is published by Books We Love (www.bookswelove.com)

Visiting a Historical Church in Houston, Texas

The Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, the first free African-American church in Houston, Texas, played an important role in the history of the American South and beyond.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

The Declaration of Emancipation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, declared that all slaves from states in “active rebellion” during the Civil War be granted freedom. The Declaration, however, did not cover Texas, which while aligned with the Confederacy, did not participate in active rebellion.

This situation continued until after the Civil War ended, when on June 18, 1865, General Grainger of the Union government arrived at Galveston Bay, close to Houston, and ordered all slaves in Texas, the last existing slaves in America, to be set free.

Reverend Jack Yates was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1828. Through self-education, he became knowledgeable in the Bible. In 1865, he moved to Houston and started preaching in a “Brush Arbor,” a church for slaves and freemen under trees.

A great organizer, he was quite successful and in 1868, became ordained as a Baptist Pastor. He convinced his congregation to purchase a piece of land in Freedman’s Town, now a part of downtown Houston, and build a Church on it. Besides worship, he was instrumental in establishing ministries that helped develop educational, economic and social skills.

Rev. Jack Yates

However, he is most known for a movement he started. Determined to honor the day of final emancipation of African Americans, he organized an event which he termed “Juneteenth.” Unfortunately, opposition arose when the City of Houston would not allow celebrations to take place in any of its parks, due to racial opposition.

Undaunted, Rev. Yates organized the community to buy its own park, which he named Emancipation Park, for their festivities. Since then, Juneteenth celebrations are observed in many cities throughout America and even in other countries.

Last year, I had the good fortune to visit the church. I was greeted with wonderful hospitality by the congregants and deacons and attended a presentation on the church’s history. I sat on one of the original hand-carved pews bearing the marks of adzes of the freed men, enjoyed gospel music and the energetic sermon of the pastor. I would encourage all visitors to Houston to explore this wonderful institution.

Mohan Ashtakala is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," published by Books We Love.

Who is a sannyasi?

A Sannyasi

A favorite of magazine covers and documentaries, nothing presents a more exotic and mysterious picture of Hinduism than that of the sannyasi. Traditionally revered in Hinduism, and sometimes derided by detractors, these wandering holy men have been part of the Indian landscape since ancient times. Indeed, tales of sannyasis retiring to the forest in search of enlightenment is a staple of the civilization. By the time of Buddha, two thousand six hundred years ago, the tradition of sannyasa had already long existed. In fact, before his enlightenment, the Buddha spent years travelling with a group of sannyasis, practising austerities, who then became his first disciples.

In Hinduism, four stages of life are described: bramacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. A bramachari is a celibate student, whose duty is to learn from his teacher, his guru; a grihastha is a householder, whose duties include raising a family and engaging in civic duties; vanaprastha is the retired stage of life, and finally, a sannayasi is someone, who having performed all worldly duties, renounces all for the pursuit of spiritual wisdom. In practical terms however, many young men (and women) take sannyasa.

Thus a sannyasi is not a priest, which is profession, but a natural stage of life. It is the result of a deep commitment, involving no salary nor benefits, and a product of a personal search for the truth. Yet, despite their abandonment of societal responsibilities, the orders of sannyasa have built up significant traditions over the years. While many sannyasis are free of any association and follow their own path, many more coalesce into orders, attracted by the teachings of the leaders.

The Buddha created an order of sannyasis, which he called the Sangha. These monks (in western terms) dedicate their lives to understanding the teachings (the Dharma) and expounding it to others.

Shankaracharya

One of the great organizers of sannyasa in Hinduism was the great 8^th century saint Shankar-acharya. Born in South India, he travelled across the land, expounding his philosophy, establishing temples and orders of sannyasis, which have great influence to this day.

He founded two types of sannaysis; one called the astra-dhara (the carrier of weapons), and the other the shastra-dhara (the carrier of scriptures.) The astra-dhara, the warrior sannyasis, were meant to protect Hindu temples, which were being regularly attacked by invaders. They were structured around mahants (leaders) and their orders are called akharas, which literally means the circle within which martial arts are practised.

The shastra-dhara sannyasis established mathas, whose closest English translation would be monasteries. There, they studied scripture, specifically those that expounded the monistic teachings of their founder. These sannaysis became known as the dasnami (ten-name) sannyasis, so-called because upon entrance to the order, initiates are awarded one of ten names (such as Puri, Bharati and Giri.)

The Sringeri Matha, established by Shankaracharya

Sannaysis are still found in India, though in much reduced numbers. The main reason for the decline is the minimization of traditional spiritual education in India, where western education is seen as a gateway to the best paying jobs. In the transition to a materialistic culture, and away from a spiritual one, many of the ancient traditions are diminished.

Mohan Ashtakala is the author of The Yoga Zapper (www.yogazapper.com) published by Books We Love (www.bookswelove.net)