The system designer in me asked a crazy question- “Can I design my happiness systemically?" - A question that led me to a world of profound realization.
In December 2023, I embarked on my first Vipassana retreat - 10 days of noble silence, devoid of dopamine triggers. While nothing seemed to happen during those days, everything changed afterward, leaving me with an unprecedented sense of peace.
2024 became the litmus test for my Vipassana experience, presenting the most intense challenges of my life. Remarkably, I navigated this tumultuous period with zero stress and great peace. Life happened, but I remained untouched - a new version of myself emerging, one I'm still in awe of.
Previously, I was self-critical, overtly ambitious, obsessed with productivity, and neglectful of my body and mind. Rest was a foreign concept. But the past six months saw a dramatic shift. I abandoned my relentless drive and scarcity mindset, embracing kindness, abundance, compassion, and love. The transformation was hard and heart-wrenching, yet I've never been happier. Mind you, the pleasure quotient in this period was almost zero.
Reflecting on this change, I realized:
I gained self-trust and respect, living life with clear priorities.
I created a habit stack, focusing on deeply meaningful practices.
I distinguished between process goals and outcome goals, emphasizing the former while learning from the latter.
I reminded myself: "Days are long, decades are short."
I persevered through choppy outcomes, resisting the allure of "shiny objects" and compulsive habits.
I consciously cultivated habits that earned my respect.
The result? My "Tripti index" (contentment) has consistently remained above 4 for six months - unprecedented in my life.
Yes, you can systemically cultivate happiness. The key? Focus on serotonin, not dopamine. Hone your "respect quotient." Be reasonable and kind to yourself. Like a lotus, you'll blossom even in muddy waters.
A few awesomeness can be shown with data(weight loss, growth of wealth etc) and a few (learning, transformation inside etc) remain as anecdote/anecdata for now.
