TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT iv LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Who are Sadhus? Are Sadhus Happy People? Rationale for the Study Research Questions Significance of the Study Conclusion .8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 10 What is Happiness? 10 Positive Psychology, The Science of Happiness 23 Spiritual Approach to Happiness 36 Literature Gap 55 Conclusion .58 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 59 Research Methodology 61 The Participants of the Study 71 Data Collection 81 Data Coding and Analysis 85 Validity Threats 89 vi