Shop - THE GOSPEL OF HAPPINESS : Rediscover Your Faith through Spiritual Practice and Positive Psychology

In The Gospel of Happiness, the bestselling author of The Seven Big Myths of the Catholic Church highlights seven ways in which positive psychology and Christian practice can lead to personal and spiritual transformation.

Focusing on empirical findings in positive psychology that point to the wisdom of many Christian practices and teachings, the author provides not only practical suggestions on how to become happier in everyday life but provides insight on how to deepen Christian practice and increase love of God and neighbor in new and bold ways.

Dr. Kaczor outlines the PERMA principle which stands for Positive, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement which enhances and promotes the quality of life in loving relationships vital for happiness and well being. This is also supported by Martin E.P. Seligman (1942-) who is recognized as the founder of positive psychology.

“Part of the Christian message is that authentic happiness is to be found not in selfishness, but self-giving,” writes Dr. Kaczor. “In this book, I highlight the many ways in which positive psychology and Christian practice overlap. All of this points us toward deeper fulfillment in this life, and in the life to come.”

Pointing out the difference between genuine happiness and fleeting happiness, Dr. Kaczor cites the “Pursuit of Perfect” (2009) when author Tal-Ben-Shahar won Israel’s national squash championship: his happiness lasted 3 hours before he realized his achievement wasn’t that great after all. Robin Williams said his joy over winning an Academy Award lasted a week. The Mega-success of the best selling album of all time “Thriller” (1983) was short lived, Michael Jackson unsatisfied, only pushed to achieve more with his next album. Research indicates that status, fame, wealth doesn’t equal happiness. David Meyers notes that American’s have increased their material wealth in the last 50 years, yet they are no more happier for it. Lotto winners after the initial shock of winning are no more happier then before their new wealth. Fortune 500 CEO’s report less happiness than the average citizen.

This book is also encouraging for those from all walks of life, going beyond the “feel good” approach. Dr. Kaczor is also the bestselling author of “The Seven Big Myths About The Catholic Church” (2012) and several other books related to the Catholic faith.

About the Author
DR. CHRISTOPHER KACZOR is William E. Simon Visiting Fellow in Religion and Public Life in the James Madison Program at Princeton University and is professor of philosophy at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Dr. Kaczor’s research on issues of ethics, philosophy, and religion has been in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, and National Review, as well as on NPR, BBC, EWTN, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, MSNBC, TEDx, and The Today Show.