The last decade has witnessed an enormous increase in research examining the effects of mindfulness meditation. One of the basic assumptions guiding this research is that meditation ultimately makes people happier (Choi, Karremans, Barendregt. 2012). According to Barongan, findings support that the brain changes through meditative practices. He states how there are changes in the brain that lead to greater self-acceptance, which creates a larger capacity of empathy for others (Barongan. 2007). Interventions that used meditation to reduce the psychiatric symptoms within patients have become more and more common (e.g., Diodonna 2009), and research has demonstrated the effectiveness of this treatment in a wide range of conditions (Hoffman et al. 2010).
             In Canada, Mood and anxiety disorders are the highest psychiatric disorders treated. Psychotherapies specific to anxiety and depressive disorders have made a positive change in the world we live in today. Unfortunately once patients have decreased their depressive and anxiety symptoms, they do not always feel an increase their general happiness. In 1998 there was a new branch of psychology that was introduced to the world by Martin Seligman and
             Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. This recent branch was introduced as Positive Psychology. This field was intended to complement, not to replace the traditional practices of psychology. Positive psychologists seek to make normal life more fulfilling. Positive Psychology focuses on the good in life, not the bad and does not just simply treat mental illnesses.
             The purpose of this study is to find out if meditation will increase individuals general happiness. This study looks at the effects of meditation and how meditation can contribute to positive psychology while increasing patient's general happiness. Although most studies have looked solemnly at the reduction of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients, this study is relevant to previous r...