Publisher's Synopsis
I combine the aspects of Zen, spirituality, psychology, body language, heart-brain coherence, law of attraction, and personal responsibility. This is not a book about a single topic, this is how to truly be happier for life. Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts speak wonderfully of mindfulness but do not bring in personal responsibility or morals like Jordan B. Peterson does. While Peterson does speak of the value of morals, religion, and Carl Jung's psychological shadow work, he shies away from Zen and the more metaphysical of heart-brain coherence that is common to Gregg Braden and Dr. Joe Dispenza or the overall spiritual growth and law of attraction Wayne Dyer emphasizes. H.I.H.O. stands for "Happy In, Happy Out." This idea reflects the reality of any kind of system or data: The result has a lot to do with what we intentionally put into the system. If I eat donuts, I get a net result of being less healthy. When I'm grumpy, my systems of influence give me a net result of grumpier. When I smile, I encourage smiles all around me, and the net gain is that I'm happier than I would have been without the smile. This feedback loop doesn't occur just in the external world. I will show how learning the language your soul speaks allows you to better observe and influence the internal communication between your true self and your ego/mind. The language of the soul is often spoken in body language and facial expressions (non-verbal communication). I will introduce some basics of both, but this book is not meant to be an exhaustive resource for each aspect of body language. My intent is to give you just enough information to inspire you to pay attention to how your body language and that of others feels in the context of whatever is going on. The mere act of paying attention to things that don't seem right or in alignment can lead you to discover other possible meanings. In addition to these feedback loops we will also look at how to have a different relationship with guilt, worry, shame, grief, and stress. And how to further grow into a person who interacts with themselves and others differently so that misery becomes a small passing curiosity.I won't ask you to make lists or keep a journal like so many other books on happiness or self-improvement. You won't need them, you will simply see things differently. I won't tell you how perfect you are now; the fact you are reading this book already suggests you know that isn't true. I also won't tell you how terrible you are, since the presence of this book in your hand indicates you are wise enough to know there is room for improvement.This is not a motivational book and I wouldn't call myself a motivational speaker, but my ideas have had the effect of encouraging and motivating growth in those I speak to. This is a different type of book, intended to change the way you see things just enough to allow contentment to be your first and normal reaction.I don't intend to tell you how to be happy, because that will come naturally as I help you remove that which is preventing an experience of true happiness that comes from your inner being. A better car won't help you get out of a traffic jam; you just need the other cars to move out of your way and clear your path. I do intent to show you how to intentionally be happier through personal empowerment, understanding the language of your true self, and using the interconnected networks of people and influences around you. I will help you gain control of the systems and feedback loops that affect who you are and how you feel. You will come to know where and how to insert happiness into your systems of influence to improve your world as well as the worlds of those you encounter.My dad has a great way of describing happiness: He says it's the feeling of being told "Yes." It's time to tell yourself "Yes!" to your journey to happiness.