A new science of happiness is finding that these emotions can be readily cultivated in familiar ways, bringing out the good in others and in oneself. Here are some recent empirical examples:

• Experiences of reverence in nature or of being around those who are morally inspiring improves people’s sense of connection to one another and their sense of purpose.
• Meditating on a compassionate approach to others shifts resting brain activation to the left hemisphere, a region associated with happiness, and boosts immune functions.
• Talking about what we are thankful for—in classrooms, at the dinner table or in a diary—boosts happiness, social well-being and health.
• Devoting resources to others, rather than indulging a materialist desire, brings about lasting well-being.

This kind of science gives me many hopes for the future. At the broadest level, I hope that our culture shifts from a consumption-based, materialist culture to one that privileges the social joys (play, caring, touch, mirth) that are our older (in the evolutionary sense) sources of the good life. In more specific terms, I see this new science informing practices in almost every realm of life. Here again are some well-founded examples: Medical doctors are now receiving training in the tools of compassion—empathetic listening, warm touch—that almost certainly improve basic health outcomes. Teachers now regularly teach the tools of empathy and respect. In prisons and juvenile detention centers, meditation is being taught. And executives are learning the wisdom of emotional intelligence—respect, building trust—and that there is more to a company’s thriving than profit or the bottom line.

This article was originally published with the title Forget Survival of the Fittest: It Is Kindness That Counts.

3 Comments

1. 1. Chapa_michael 01:35 PM 10/5/09

   Wondering: What other ways can you strengthen the connection to the vagus nerve?
   
   What kind of relationships does this nerve have with other major nerves?
   
   What association does the vagus nerve have with the left hemisphere? ...or right hemisphere? ... Or do they each have their own connection/pathway to this nerve?
   
   I would love some feedback, as these were some floating questions stirred up from this article.

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2. 2. martintfre 12:21 PM 1/20/10

   If Born to be good advances "evolution—survival, gene replication " is is still selfish survival of the fittest.
   Look at it in a business model - If a business man ripps of a customer on that transaction he wins - but he loses in the long term because the customer does not come back and may talk to friends - so nicer business win because not because they are altruist, they win because the game is played over long time. Altruism is not a successful evolutionary strategy

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3. 3. Jenny lopej 12:30 AM 12/4/10

   Vagus Nerve Disorders affect one or more of the nervous systems of the body and can potentially impact speech, motor skills, cognitive ability, heart function, and breathing also. In addition to the central nervous system, specific nerve disorders can also involve the autonomic nervous system or peripheral nervous system.
   http://www.disorderscentral.com/vagus-nerve-disorders.html

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