The Wisdom of the Sabbath

I'm a Buddhist, but reading The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want has given me a new appreciation for the wisdom of the Sabbath.  The Jewish and Christian faiths have sometimes been mocked for their emphasis on weekly religious services.  Critics say that too many people attend church on Sundays or synagogues on Saturdays, then return to very non-spiritual lives the rest of the week.  But I think these critics are underestimating the power of weekly ritual.

The most shocking thing, to me, about the research described in the "How of Happiness" is that many activities are more powerful when practiced once per week than they are when practiced daily.  It's as if the weekly rhythm makes the rituals more special.

According to the research, there are several activities that can make you measurably happier if you do them every week, but make NO difference if you do them every day without variation.  Contemplating or writing down the things you are grateful for.  Imagining the many ways you and your loved ones might succeed in the future.  Going out of your way to help others.  Naturally, it's good to be appreciative every day, to be optimistic every day, and to always be kind.  But it's a matter of degree.  Apparently, all of these things make you much happier if you take them to a higher level than normal once per week.

This research makes me respect the tradition of the Sabbath.  I don't think it is a coincidence that traditions developed in which one day per week was devoted to reflection, to appreciation of God and life, to prayers for the future.  I think people learned many years ago that the perfect rhythm for some rituals is a weekly beat.