The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Pushkin

Educator and author Simran Jeet Singh is Sikh. Most of his fellow Americans have no idea what Sikhism is - causing some to treat Simran with suspicion and hostility. But one of the key teachings of his religion is that all things and all people are connected - something that offers Simran comfort and hope in even the darkest moments. 

In the first of a two-part show, Dr Laurie Santos talks to Simran about his book - The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life - and finds that the centuries-old traditions of Sikhism map surprisingly well over the latest happiness science.  
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sikhism developed as a religion more than 500 years ago in the Punjab region of South Asia - but as Dr Laurie Santos found out in her discussion with author and educator Simran Jeet Singh, Sikh teachings still chime with modern happiness science.

Simran suggested we explore the topic further by sharing with you readings from Sohila, a prayer Sikhs recite before bed. The translation is by Simran, with passages by the revered Sikh leaders Guru Nanak, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan.

We often think of yoga as a physical exercise - but a centuries-old Sanskrit text, The Yoga Sutras, share teachings intended to improve both the body and mind. The author, Patanjali, makes clear that the poses and stretches are only part of picture - we also need to be kind, contemplative and grounded.  

Jessamyn Stanley (yoga teacher and author of Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance) takes Dr Laurie Santos through Patanjali's text - saying its lessons "can be applied in every circumstance, no matter who you are or where you are".
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yoga Sutras are a centuries-old Sanskrit text - attributed to an author called Patanjali. The aphorisms contained in the text are the basis of the physical practise of yoga, but also offer a far wider guide of how to improve both the body and mind.

Expanding on her discussion with yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley, Dr Laurie Santos reads short extracts from The Yoga Sutras and explores what they mean to her.

In Virgil's epic poem, The Aeneid, few Trojans survive the destruction of their city at the hands of their Greek enemies. A prince, Aeneas, leads a band of those fleeing Troy - but the journey is fraught with deadly storms and hungry monsters.  

But Aeneas takes a positive view of the struggles he and the other Trojans face, telling them to be proud of their resilience and courage. With the help of MIT classics professor Stephanie Frampton, Dr Laurie Santos explores how The Aeneid can be read as a tale of post-traumatic growth and how we can sometimes emerge happier and stronger from tragic events.  
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aeneid - Virgil's epic poem - tells of the destruction of Troy and of the many dangers Trojan prince Aeneas faced as he fled his burning home city. To accompany our discussion of how Aeneas dealt with these traumatic experiences, Dr Laurie Santos reads extracts from The Aeneid which show how he spoke about and framed his perilous journey.