Finding #3: Happiness is Possible Without an External Quest for Material Possessions or Satisfaction of Desires Finding #3 states that happiness is possible without an external quest for material possessions or satisfaction of desires Finding #3 is associated with the second and third research questions: Are sadhus happy people, and if so, what factors sadhus believe influence their happiness? Finding #1 says happiness is everyone’s true nature, and Finding #2 says happiness exists alone and has nothing to with external factors This leads to Finding #3, which states happiness is possible without an external quest for material possessions or satisfaction of desires Themes and 12 confirm Finding #3 because sadhus are very happy people irrespective of their external conditions, while living the most basic life Sadhus’ lives show that when people remove the “extras” from life, their mind relaxes9, and they start experiencing the pure happiness of their own true nature—more and more During the interviews, not only did the sadhus report experiencing profound and unbroken happiness, no sadhu expressed any negative emotions or complained or showed anger Instead, the sadhus joyfully and enthusiastically took part in the discussions and supported the follow-up calls after the interviews It is interesting to note that even though sadhus live a simple and basic life and have renounced all their material possessions, relationships, jobs, and desires (Theme 12), sadhus were still found to be Besides living a simple life with less desires, in Eastern traditions there are other ways to relax the mind, like yoga and meditation techniques, devotion toward the Divine or some higher power, living for others, development of virtues, studying the knowledge of self—Vedanta (wisdom) Please refer to study results Theme through Theme 12 in Chapter 194