Foreword

January 27, 2019

As a neurologist I have spent the majority of my life studying the nervous system. I learned about how the output of the nervous system can become dysfunctional and lead to disorder. However, less is known and knowledge is needed to understand our thoughts and their actions - the psychiatry of neurology if you will. Consciousness, personality, motivation, and happiness are internal states yet to be understood. It is the brave man who seeks the unknown, hence the reason for “Harmony for Happiness.”

Baruch Spinoza who was a 16th century philosopher and part-time polisher of lenses, seemed to tackle refractory problems and one of those was happiness. He felt that happiness was a transitional state and defined as the presence of pleasure in the absence of pain. His philosophy parallels with the Epicureans who felt that natural and necessary desires were paramount in the development of happiness. These external pleasures included food, exercise, and sex, which do contribute to happiness.

The Aristotelian and Platonic philosophy looks more towards the internal workings of the mind as a source for happiness. Being a man of virtue leads to a good human life and virtue is a kind of knowledge that leads to wisdom and understanding. Thus, the philosophies of Epicurus, Aristotle, and Plato can be combined to form the “The Bohemian Rhapsody” which blends nicely with harmony for happiness.

The Akashic fields, like the Ether or fifth substance of Aristotle, represents an all-encompassing medium that underlies all things and becomes all things. Thus, the akashic fields encompasses the non-locality in Quantum physics which provides the compelling explanation for the ability of one human’s behavioral interactions to affect another’s genes-epigenetics. As my mom would tell me “if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”

It is not too bold to make the statement that we humans are social creatures. Many studies on happiness conclude that social interactions are essential to happiness. Thus the epigenetics of social interaction follows the doctrine of many faiths “love by neighbor as thyself”.

A lack of direct human interaction has become more prominent in today’s increasingly isolated world (smart phones, videogames, computers, TV……). Thus, mindfulness (being present in the moment) is an essential skill that improves all interactions and harmonizes with happiness.

So what does this mean? What it means is that a prescription for happiness involves the pursuit of external and internal activities that lead to tranquility. These external factors include sunshine, exercise, and music. Having a sense of purpose, social interaction, spirituality, and a virtuous life are internal factors that contribute to happiness. Like the deft fingers that strike the lyre, this book provides the experience to achieve “Harmony for Happiness.”

Donald McCarren, D.O., F.A.A.N., F.A.A.N.E.M. 

Diplomate ABPN, ABEM Fellow AAN, AANEM