The concept of "being content with the
present" can carry different meanings for different people. For one person, it might mean enjoying good
food, leisure, and comfort. For another,
it may be the peace found in spiritual life.
Since everyone must answer the question, "What makes me feel truly
content?" for themselves, there is no universal definition.
Everyone does, in fact, have unique situations,
tastes, and outlooks on life. A person
who decides to follow the monastic path, for instance, might declare, "I
live only to practice the Dharma." Others might find fulfillment in taking
care of their loved ones, going after a career, or just leading a peaceful
life.
According to Buddhist teaching, these variations in
inclinations and preferences are the outcome of habitual karma, also known as
vāsanā karma, which refers to the routines we follow on a daily basis and
ultimately mold our personalities and fates.
Doing good things on a regular basis helps establish a healthy mindset
as a habit. However, if we engage in
destructive behaviors like addiction, gambling, or rage, we are generating bad
karma for ourselves. Karma is therefore
nothing to be afraid of; rather, it is just the inevitable result of the
decisions we make every day. Your life
will unavoidably be full of suspicion and instability if you live in constant
doubt, think negatively, and have no faith in anyone.
The Buddha instructs us to develop virtue and earn
merit for both this life and future ones.
It is possible to die without regrets if one lives with compassion and
makes selfless sacrifices for those they love.
We cannot take our wealth with us when we pass away, no matter how much
we accumulate. But love and good deeds
will leave a lasting impression on others.
Even if we are never repaid, we can take pride in having lived a life of
depth and meaning.
In contrast, those who live only for themselves,
indifferent to others, may struggle to earn respect or affection throughout
their lives. Life is impermanent and
fragile—at its core, it is a process of survival. Yet, instead of sharing, many people compete,
hoard, and create conflict, leading to disasters such as war and suffering.
Being born as a human is a rare and precious opportunity in the cycle of
rebirth. We should treasure this life
and use it to cultivate compassion and sharing so that together, we can
overcome the hardships of existence.
Buddhism emphasizes harmony, known as Sangha,
the community of living together in peace and understanding. When people unite in kindness and solidarity,
society moves toward a more positive direction. And because life is uncertain
we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so we should avoid unnecessary
conflicts and disputes. Feeling “enough”
is a profound inner state that isn’t easy to attain in a world full of
competition and comparison.
Only when your body and mind are healthy and in
balance can you truly bring happiness to yourself and those you love. Being content with what you have does not
mean giving up on progress—it means living with appreciation for the present
while continuing to strive for a better future.
Ask yourself this: isn’t a good night’s sleep to start
the new day more valuable than long, restless nights filled with envy and
anxiety over what you don’t yet have?
When you learn to be content, you give yourself the permission to be
happy.
In the end, practicing
contentment with the present is not just a lifestyle choice – it
is a path that leads to inner peace, a profound form of happiness that no
material possession can replace.
No comments:
Post a Comment