Western culture focuses on happiness although human beings look for a sense in life, for which they are willing to sacrifice happiness.
Our society highly values materialism and preaches perfectionism, causing prosperity diseases, a diminution of happiness: a focus on lacks instead of positive aspects.
We need to let go of the fixed idea of a perfect life to be able to experience existential reality. Existential well being increases when we create an environment that values natural talents in stead of demanding the unrealisable.
Subjective wellbeing is based on the hedonist approach of satisfaction and happiness whilst eudaimonia focuses on the goal in life and self realisation.
Professor in psychology Mia Leijssen describes existential wellbeing as playing with the dimensions of existence. Empathy, autonomy, freedom of choice and meaningful connections with others are crucial elements of existential meaning.
Leijssens work emphasizes the role of love, that benefits the social, physical, personal and spiritual dimensions of existence, which are essential for existential well being.(Leijssen 2013)
Love influences health. Human beings are naturally directed towards others, towards being appreciated and loved.
We can not survive without others: we need to mean something to them. The harmonious combination of love and knowledge enables people to deal with situations in an appropriate way.
Gratitude, joy and wonder are mostly experienced in life threatening situations or during negative experiences. Gratitude, the attitude of feeling blessed, is closely connected to appreciation, the cognitive recognition of value.
The personal dimension:
Loving, friendly, non critical self reflection is present in the personal dimension of authentic self knowledge. Compassion and self acceptation lead to forgivingness and optimism in case of difficulties.
A sense of inferiority is the main threat of self respect.
The basis of each healing process is self love, the cultivation of positive feelings towards oneself. Self love is a condition for authentic love towards others and the exploration of the world.
Provided that one reflects and accepts oneself, it is possible to feel lonely in a positive way, in contrast with the intrapersonal loneliness characterized by self alienation and dependence of others' judgment.
The social dimension:
The social dimension concerns the non judgmental connection with others.
Empathy is a bare necessity in the social dimension in order to experience authentic attachment relationships and to accomplish a healthy development. Compassion, between empathy and altruism, is essential to feel others' situations with the intent to help.
The physical dimension:
The physical dimension contains elements as the love for the body, nature, vitality and comfort. A healthy eating pattern, exercise and the acknowledgment of the boundaries of the body are useful to feel good.
The spiritual dimension:
The soulful spiritual dimension is characterized by life questions and values as truth and wisdom. The dimension helps us to see our individual existence in a broad context to surpass self interest.
Wise individuals are marked by empathy, emotional concern, listening skills, self knowledge, the realisation of one's limitations, righteousness, tolerance, a non selfish life orientation, insights in human interactions, openness towards new experiences and values aimed at insight, personal development and social engagement.
A peaceful mind is able to stop constant thought, to observe signals without any judgment. Existential well being is to be found and accomplished in human hope and buoyancy.
It all starts with love. Time to reflect and ask yourself how you love in life.
Free course in existential wellbeing:
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| Virtues |
