Has meditation made you happier?

[leosmith]

The book I'm reading cites scientific evidence that mindful meditation can make you happier, especially in the long run. Have any of you experienced this? How long was it before you noticed, and did it increase over time?

[JonW]

'The book I'm reading cites scientific evidence that mindful meditation can make you happier, especially in the long run.'

There's no end of research to back this up. But it's not something to get attached to. If we start meditating to get happy it will all quickly come undone. We don't sit to have a good time. We sit just to sit. Happiness can be a welcome by-product of that. But don't let it be your goal.
Jon

[Gareth]

It's not a simple question to answer.

I have been meditating for over six years, and during that time I have felt the whole spectrum of emotions.

However, when I look at this period in the whole, I can honestly say that meditation has made my life much simpler than it would otherwise have been.

[Peter]

I totally agree with Jon and Gareth.

There have been (brain-MRI) studies with Buddhist monks that have meditated for decades, that showed that they go through the exact same emotions, but bounce back to their default a lot quicker than 'normal' people.

Peter

[JonW]

It goes beyond happiness for me.
What meditation has given me is quiet joy. That seems to be my default position these days.
Practice is key.
Jon

[chrisj22]

Meditation has had a huge effect on me mentally.

It brings for such peace and tranquility to the real self - the 'I'.

Like anything, it is a workout for the brain, just as you would go to the gym to build muscle, it cannot be done overnight and takes time.