Ideas worth spreading

Plug into your hard-wired happiness

1,172,205 views |

Srikumar Rao |

Arbejdsglaede Live

• May 2009

We all strive for happiness -- but we spend most of our lives learning to be unhappy, says Srikumar Rao. In this practical talk, he teaches how to break free of the "I'd be happy if ..." mental model, and embrace our hard-wired happiness.

We all strive for happiness -- but we spend most of our lives learning to be unhappy, says Srikumar Rao. In this practical talk, he teaches how to break free of the "I'd be happy if ..." mental model, and embrace our hard-wired happiness.

This video is a TED "Best of the Web" pick, featuring a remarkable idea available on the internet from an independent creator. This idea didn’t come from TED, but TED is thrilled to spread it. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Sign up to take a class on creativity and personal mastery.

About the speaker

Srikumar Rao

Srikumar Rao

Happiness teacher

Executive, educator, writer and life coach Srikumar S. Rao asks, "Are you ready to succeed?" -- and in his famous course "Creativity and Personal Mastery," he teaches his students how to do so.

Michael A. Singer | New Harbinger/Noetic Books, 2007 | Book

The Untethered Soul

In his younger days Singer had a spiritual experience that awakened him, and his life was different from that point on. This is one of the very best books I have come across that clearly explains how your mind keeps you in thrall, what consciousness is, and how to deal with your unruly mind. Read it in small doses. Highlight extensively. Refer to often. This slim book is a keeper.

Srikumar Rao | Hyperion, 2005 | Book

Are You Ready to Succeed?

Srikumar Rao | Sounds True, 2008 | Listen

The Personal Mastery Program

Burt Helm | Inc., May 22, 2014 | Article

Stressed? Try This Quick Fix Experts Swear By

Paul Brunton | Martino Fine Books, 2010 | Book

A Search in Secret India

Ram Dass | Lama Foundation, 1971 | Book

Be Here Now

Learn more

About Best of the Web

Best of the Web, like the rest of TED.com, involves compelling people and ideas. But unlike TED Talks, these videos don't come from TED or our partner conferences: they're curated from around the internet, drawing on freely available videos from creators with an idea worth spreading.

This video is a TED "Best of the Web" pick, featuring a remarkable idea available on the internet from an independent creator. This idea didn’t come from TED, but TED is thrilled to spread it. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Sign up to take a class on creativity and personal mastery.