Improving Self-Esteem – An Action Contemplation

Improving Your Self-Esteem – An Action Contemplation

The UCLA Higher Education Research Institute’s surveys and V. Mamgain’s ideas about neoclassical economics of happiness help provide a means to deconstruct improved learning in higher education and also personal happiness in the process. According to the UCLA research surveys, higher education students want more spirituality and personal meaning from their educational experiences.  They also desire employment after their education. Combining these experiential and concrete goals is no simple matter. Here I will focus on one major roadblock for many students: their dearth of positive self-esteem in learning and life.

Simply contemplate then answer the questions noted below.  You may wish to use the ancient method of sequential, separate episodes of deep contemplation on each question before answering it.

Read the question then contemplate on it.  Then contemplate on it again, and again, and again for a deeper understanding of meaning and a more useful answer.

After successive contemplations, answer each question.

• What are the causes and conditions that lead to you feeling happier?
  • List three

• Take a deeper look at your happy experiences. What is your “felt” personal experience of being happy?
  • List three.

• Is your personal happiness simply pleasure, or is it more than pleasure?
  • If it is more than pleasure, what is it.
    • List three insights about your happiness.

Some researchers believe that your perception and interception of personal happiness are simply explained as sensory-perceptual functions of your brain and mind.

• If you think it is more, what is it?
  • List three

Often humans require more mindful contemplation and insightful action to enjoy their lives.  Since happiness that is a natural state is not dangerous, the brain’s self-protective areas (limbic system) tend to ignore it.  So to become a happier person you do need to be more mindful and serious about practicing happiness.

• So, what are the deeper and personal meanings that happiness satisfies in you as a person?
  • List three

• What are the personal and deeper values that happiness satisfies in you?
  • List three

• What are your emotional purposes in experiencing happiness?
  • List three

• Now that you probably have a better understanding of your personal happiness, what experiments and/or experiences will you engage in to expand your happiness in life?
  • List three

When will you begin?

To help ensure that you practice mindful ways to become happier, write a brief summary of the main changes you intend to make in the near future.

For more information refer to Palmer, P. J. and Zajonc, A. (2010). The Heart of Higher Education: A Call to Action. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass, pp. 79-193.

By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont

Author of Mindful Happiness  

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