Book News You Can Use: The Four Levels of Happiness

Maria V. Gallagher unlocks the mystery of feeling good by delving into the new book by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.

The Four Levels of Happiness: Your Path to Personal Flourishing

by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.
Published by Sophia Institute Press

Perhaps at one point in your life, a parent posed this question to you: Why can’t you be happy? 

It may have come at the precise moment when tears were rolling down your face. I know it did for me. In that instant, when it felt as if my world had been turned upside down, happiness seemed like a distant memory. 

But it does not have to be this way, according to a learned Jesuit priest who has written a new book exploring the best means for achieving contentment over the long term. 

Defining happiness

The Four Levels of Happiness: Your Path to Personal Flourishing by Father Robert Spitzer encourages the reader to scale the mountains necessary to discover lasting happiness. As Father Spitzer points out, many definitions of happiness miss the mark because they dwell on pleasurable experiences, such as eating ice cream. He notes: 

It looks as though we need a better definition of happiness than just a series of examples of pleasant things. We begin to see why the ancient philosophers, the Church Fathers, and even most modern psychologists have gone beyond trying to define happiness in terms of a warm puppy. (15)

Dog lovers, take note: our pets can bring us bountiful blessings. But happiness is an inside job, requiring us to readjust our perspectives.  

In Father Spitzer’s view, happiness level #1 involves the satisfaction of our material needs and basic instincts, such as having sufficient food, clothing, and shelter. Level #2 happiness is achieved when we compare ourselves favorably to others in terms of talents and possessions. At level #3 we empathize with others and provide service to them, while level #4 enables us to reach the transcendent through our personal relationship with God. 

The author theorizes that we climb from one level to another — but we need all four levels in order to be truly happy. To me, this was a profound point. We must be able to love ourselves, our neighbor, and our God with complete and utter abandon. 

I believe I spent much of my life believing an outer force would propel me to happiness. Initially, my grade point average provided my launching pad. Then, I thought I would achieve happiness by landing on the Broadway stage. That never happened, no matter how many times I sang “Memory” from the musical Cats while biding time in my parents’ basement. 

My next foray on the journey to happiness was journalism. I operated under the philosophy that I was only as good as my last story. That turned out to be a prescription for much unhappiness. 

I then focused on relationships to bring me happiness. But, no matter how attentive another human being might be, that person is not a happiness magnet. In the end, no human being can fulfill all our needs. 

I finally discovered happiness when I began focusing seriously on God and His abundant love for me. In that love, I could find my peace and my reason for being. 

A call to look for the Good News in others

The Four Levels of Happiness offers an important on-ramp to an emotionally fulfilling state of mind. I particularly appreciated the author’s call to look for the “good news” in other people. I am at times so preoccupied with other individuals’ flaws that I fail to recognize their inherent goodness. When I can see others for the masterpieces they are, my own level of happiness is likely to overflow.  

As a result, I highly recommend adding The Four Levels of Happiness to your reading list. Your mood may brighten, and your step may quicken, as you finally begin to appreciate the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon you!         

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Maria V. Gallagher
Images: Canva