Summary of All Themes and Subthemes Table 12 Major Themes, Six Subthemes, and Corresponding Quotes Themes and Subthemes Quote Research Question 1: What is the meaning of happiness from the perspective of sadhus? Theme 1: Everyone is oriented toward Happiness is the quest of all living happiness beings—everyone wants happiness Theme 2: Happiness is our true nature Happiness— you really are Subtheme 2.1: Happiness is to be It is not a matter of gaining happiness discovered within Subtheme 2.2: Happiness as ananda Ananda (Sanskrit: happiness) is far (Sanskrit: happiness) beyond typical emotions of the mental level Theme 3: Everything in this world is There is nothing outside of you that can temporary except happiness make you happy Theme 4: Happiness is everlasting and Happiness is continuous and constant unchanging Theme 5: Ignorance of our true nature is We are all ignorant about who we are, and the cause of all unhappiness in the world knowledge is going to solve that problem Theme 6: Animate nature of happiness Joy and happiness are the same thing Because they are…they are really that aspect of the Divine presence within you That consciousness is always happy, joyful… Subtheme 6.1: Happiness is pure Self, as the knower of all known consciousness beyond mind Subtheme 6.2: Happiness is infinite Ananda (Sanskrit: happiness) is limitless, ananda has no boundaries Subtheme 6.3: Happiness is God Ananda (Sanskrit: happiness) is an experience of God Subtheme 6.4: Happiness and sadhus’ [happiness is the] experience of the unity sense of fearlessness and Divine that frees us from all fear protection Research Question 2: Do sadhus perceive themselves to be happy people? Theme 7: Sadhus are very happy people A sadhu is forever happy in the thoughts of atman (Sanskrit: self) Research Question 3: What the sadhus perceive to be the factors that influence their happiness? Theme 8: Guru, a spiritual teacher You need a Guru, who knows those things Theme 9: Self-knowledge But the experience or knowledge of the self or the atman is the number one Theme 10: Serving others Therefore, live only to serve 94