I recently watched this video on Khan Academy that described ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus' theory on the "cure for unhappiness". His theory was founded in the Tetrapharmakos which had four points:
1 God is nothing to fear.
2 Death is nothing to worry about.
3 It is easy to acquire the good things in life.
4 It is easy to endure the terrible things.
Some of these may seem shocking to some people and not jive with some beliefs. However the video goes into each point pretty well and offers justifications for these four concepts. A lot of his ideas resonate with me and actually align with many of the principles of minimalism, especially in the third point: It is easy to acquire the good things in life. Here's what the video says on the topic:
"When we consider the things we want, it is comforting to realize that our true needs are limited and fairly easily available from Nature, and that the things that are difficult to obtain, we just don't need. Air is available for our breath. Water for our thirst. Fire for warmth. And earth for ground to stand on. The minerals, plants, and animals supply our needs for shelter and sustenance. There are plenty of people around to become our friends. When we realize we have enough not just to survive but to alleviate most of our pain, we necessarily become relieved and tranquil. True relaxation and happiness becomes possible. We can focus not only on survival but a deeper, more aesthetic, appreciation of the universe that seeks to understand the nature of things not only to provide what we need and to eliminate our fears about the divine and about death but simply to be amazed at its beauty and sublimity...
"...if the idea that the good things in life are easily available seems doubtful to you, consider Epicurus' 3 Fold Division of Desires into: those that are 1) Natural and Necessary, like our desires for air, water, food, and shelter; those that are 2) Natural but Not Necessary, like our desires for expensive food and drink, mansions, or sex; and those that are 3) Neither Natural, Nor Necessary, which Epicurus calls hollow or empty. Desires for fame, riches, glory, political power, and immortality, common though they are, are all hollow. Their pursuit causes more unhappiness than happiness, not only because they are difficult or impossible to achieve, and so efforts in this direction are futile and frustrating, but also because they are unlimited. Not being related to any natural need, there is no amount of wealth, influence, or life extension that will satisfy us and allow us to live a relaxed tranquil life. Ease of living comes by appreciating just how little we need to be happy or flourish, and how abundant Nature seems to be in supplying our needs."
Watch the full lecture below: