Happiness and Being Human: The Tension between Immanence and Transcendence in Religion/Spirituality

Abstract

What is the happiness that we strive for and what does it mean for our understanding of being human? As we pursue happiness, we find that happiness is complex, in many ways subjective to the experiences and contexts of individuals or groups. Happiness also can be found in attaining greater self-awareness and a sense of meaning/purpose. This article argues that religion/spirituality has a role to play in facilitating well-being/happiness in terms of the tension held in their understanding of immanence and transcendence. This will be done, using a science and religion discourse.

Keywords

• happiness
• immanence
• transcendence
• religion
• spirituality