A recent survey conducted by the AARP found 40% of US adults 45 and older report feeling lonely highlighting a growing concern about social isolation. Surveys show the unaffiliated and inactive members of religious communities are less likely to identify as “very happy.”
Studies by National Geographic and Pew Research Center have concluded faith gives people meaning, purpose, moral guidance, community connection, promoting mental and physical health. Faith causes people to be civically engaged, offering a moral compass. As faith increases, rates of depression, suicide, substance and alcohol abuse decrease.
Researchers have found a strong link between faith and happiness as seen in a study of inmates at San Quentin. And it does not matter whether the faith be Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islamic, Buddhism and other faiths.
Reasons given for these findings revolve around faith satisfying a fundamental human urge, or perhaps a better word, need.
Happiness does not happen by itself. It is a goal demanding a sincere effort using the right means to this end. The means used throughout the world are all over the place, but the goal remains the same. The means to happiness is personal, but the goal of happiness is not. It is universal.
To achieve this foundation, the Five Pillars of Man (the Physical Pillar, the Intellectual Pillar, the emotional Pillar, the spiritual Pillar and the Pillar of Love) are to be acknowledged and achieved. With the failure of one, life loses stability.
As Newton viewed the universe as a vast, predictable machine governed by uniform laws, with the whole created by its parts with each part necessary for the whole to operate as designed, the human being operates as a vast, predictable machine governed by uniform laws, with the whole, created by its parts, with each part necessary for the whole, the human being, to operate as designed.
These parts are The Five Pillars of Man, one of which being The Pillar of the Spiritual.
Material well-being, the Physical Pillar, is necessary for healthy physical and mental well-being, healthy families, and living with a sense of purpose. It is difficult to be intellectually, emotionally and spiritually strong with a weak physical pillar.
We begin our discussion of the Five Pillars of Man beginning with a focus on the Physical Pillar constructing the foundation necessary for the attainment of a strong spiritual being giving us happiness.