Happiness and Energy: a Mind–Body Approach for the New Year

Happiness is truly a matter of energy. It is not merely a state of mind to be cultivated, but a process that can be trained and supported, day after day. Learning to see the glass half full, developing our concentration in order to interrupt habitual thoughts—those arising from long-established mental patterns—opens the way to benevolent reflections and constructive thinking.

We speak of pure qualities—qualities that we all have the potential to bring forth, yet which require constant attention. The process of inversion—shifting from negative mental patterns to positive ones—demands patience and practice. There are various antidotes that can support this transformation, but if the mind is not trained to be fully present here and now, in mindful awareness, nothing can function sustainably.

The body plays a central role in this process. It does not merely serve the mind; it is itself composed of energy, a constant movement reflecting the balance between warmth, fluidity, cohesion, and vitality. These energetic processes also depend on the five elements, not in their physical form, but in their subtle and dynamic aspects.

By combining breath, attention to the body, and conscious movement, we restore the balance of our internal energies and harmonize the five elements. This work releases blockages, brings warmth where there is cold, creates fluidity where there is rigidity, and fosters a state of lightness and cohesion. Physical practice supports the mind, helps it detach from negative patterns, and allows qualities such as kindness, patience, and deep joy to emerge.

Happiness then ceases to be merely a matter of external circumstances; it becomes a capacity to allow energy to circulate harmoniously and to nurture benevolent thoughts.

At the beginning of this new year, may we cultivate this attention to body and mind, so that each moment is imbued with luminous energy and an inner calm that form the foundation of true happiness.