Swamini Brahmananda meant that happiness is everyone’s true nature which is within Therefore, there is no reason to seek happiness through any other means in the world Subtheme conclusion According to sadhus, humans should discover happiness within because it is everyone’s most fundamental nature They held that one should not expect real and lasting happiness from the satisfaction of worldly pursuits The sadhus referred to real happiness as ananda (Sanskrit: happiness), which is the topic of the next subtheme Subtheme 2.2: Happiness as Ananda (Sanskrit: Happiness) “Ananda is far beyond typical emotions of the mental level.” — Swami Janakananda (personal communication, January 15, 2018) Subtheme 2.2 answers the first research question—What is the meaning of happiness from the perspective of sadhus? This subtheme also inherits the properties of parent Theme 2—Happiness is our true nature All 20 out of 20 sadhus referred to happiness as ananda (Sanskrit: happiness) across all interviews See Table for a summary of Subtheme 2.2 Table Subtheme 2.2 Summary Happiness as Ananda (Sanskrit: happiness) Research Question 1: What is the meaning of happiness from the perspective of sadhus? Parent Theme 2: Happiness is our true nature Theme Number of Participants Number of References N=20 Happiness as ananda 20 (100%) 109 (Sanskrit: happiness) Quote: Ananda is far beyond typical emotions of the mental level — Swami Janakananda (personal communication, January 15, 2018) 113