Few things in this universe are truly eternal – and it’s difficult to conceive of a life that would truly last forever. What I mean by “eternal” is a life that extends far beyond the normal human lifespan. It could be hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years long.

There are several foreseeable developments that would make this possible. As we know, it’s already possible to “dodge the reaper” with organ transplants and advanced medications. But this doesn’t deal with the problem of e.g. cell degradation – the normal processes of aging that overtake most of us within eighty or ninety years.

New rejuvenation biotechnologies, such as those relying on stem cell replacement, could slow these processes or put an end to them altogether – allowing you to stay youthful and healthy forever. Bionic replacement is already a thing (Think of bionic limbs, lab-grown organs, and heart pacemakers), and scientists are making constant leaps forward. A so-called technological Singularity, in which artificial intelligence becomes intelligent enough to produce even smarter artificial intelligence, would mean rapid progress in both of these areas. And even if your life comes to end before such developments have made eternity possible, improved cryonic technology would allow you to “hibernate” until you can be successfully revived.

Recall the happiest day of your life. Now think of all the reasons the other days of your life have been less happy than that one. What’s to blame? Is it the absence of good things – like adventure, love, creativity, and connection? Or is it the presence of bad things, like illness, grief, loneliness, and the stress of everyday life?

When I talk about a “blissful life”, I’m anticipating a world where the good is ubiquitous and the bad is all but eliminated. It’s not too hard to imagine. Technological progress has already solved problems that seemed inescapable to previous generations; polio, for example, is practically a thing of the past. And in the near future, further progress will put an end to even the most complex problems, ranging from insidious depression and anxiety to seemingly endless warfare and famine.

Your blissful life will be like the happiest day you can remember – but even better. You’ll exude physical and psychological well-being; you’ll have an exquisite sense of connection to the universe; and you’ll pass each day in a way that leaves you perfectly fulfilled - all thanks to human progress, advancements in (positive) psychology, and new emerging technologies.

As society improves and we get a better understanding of the human brain and how it experiences consciousness, we’ll be able to make the most of modern technology. Benevolent use of things like advanced antidepressants, human-brain interfaces, virtual or augmented realities, and cognitive enhancement will make a blissful (and meaningful) existence a reality for everyone.