Happiness has been the Holy Grail sought by humanity for millennia. What it is and how to find it has been discussed and debated since the earliest records of humankind, and has been the object of countless studies by scholars the world over, including those in the field of positive psychology. Several empirically-based theories and scales of happiness and wellbeing have emerged, such as PERMA, PERMAH, Self-Determination Theory, Inventories of Thriving, amongst many others. There is much commonality and overlap between these theories and scales. For example, when comparing eight that have been well-validated, all of them include the importance of relationships, and all but one include the value of meaning and purpose in life.
It is proposed that religion and spirituality are primary sources of happiness and wellbeing, and are especially potent sources for warm relationships, meaning in life, and physical health. There is much overlap between the principles and practices found within religion/spirituality and the research and practices emerging from the field of positive psychology.
In addition, there are many interventions found within positive psychology which, if learned and applied, may increase the happiness and wellbeing of members of various faith traditions, and the public at large. For example, although some faith practitioners may be high in religious belief, they may also possess a pessimistic explanatory style or frequently fall prey to various thinking traps. These flaws in thinking may dilute the benefits that come from religious involvement; therefore, by adding knowledge and evidence-based skills from the field of positive psychology to their spiritual repertoire, people of faith can benefit from the advances made in the social sciences.
As noted by Dr. Ed Diener, “Scientific inquiry is not a replacement for religious understanding or philosophical insights, but…add[s] helpful new dimensions to these age-old sources of wisdom.”