Some of us feel that our lives lack meaning,
that they are not worth living. We
suffer because we lack direction. No
matter how wealthy or powerful we may be, if our mind is chaotic and we lack
clarity in our path, we become the most miserable people in the world. However, if we have a meaningful direction in
life—one that reflects our compassion—we will know how to alleviate suffering
for ourselves and those around us.
When we have the opportunity to receive the
teachings, gain practice experience, and understand that during difficult times
the teachings can save us from despair, we can move toward peace and liberation. The teachings help us access the shore of
tranquility and freedom. By returning to
our innate mindfulness and having faith in ourselves, peace and happiness
naturally arise, making us truly content.
We often think happiness comes from having
a lot of money, a beautiful spouse, fame, power, high social status, or
satisfying our sexual desires. Many of
us chase after sensual pleasures, only to realize that the more we become
entangled in craving wealth, fame, power, sensuality, fine foods, and indulgent
sleep, the more we suffer.
We mistakenly believe that these five
sensual pleasures are essential for happiness, but now we’ve awakened to the
truth that genuine happiness arises from letting go and reclaiming inner
freedom. Therefore, the Buddha advised
us to frequently reflect on the true nature of these pleasures and learn to
generate wholesome joy and happiness to nurture ourselves.
"Breathing in, I feel joy." This is not an empty promise but a result of
contemplating the nature of our happiness and touching the wholesome, joyful
elements of everyday life.
Joy through Letting Go
Joy arises when we practice letting go—joy born of letting go.
Then there is joy born of concentration, meaning happiness comes from
the ability to focus and abide in concentration. We have learned the benefits of concentration. For example, whether we feel great joy while
eating an orange depends on our mindfulness and concentration. When we eat mindfully, fully present, the joy
and happiness we experience are immense.
The conditions for happiness are always
within and around us, but because our mind is not present or concentrated, we
fail to recognize them.
A Story of Mindful Walking
There was a young meditation practitioner
living in Paris
who loved walking meditation. However,
living in a busy city where everyone seemed to be running frantically, she was
swept up in the rush. One day, she took
the elevator with an elderly woman who walked slowly and unhurriedly. Observing the woman, the young practitioner
reflected:
"Am I truly
living? Why am I always running like
this? I feel like I’m living as though I
were dead."
The elderly woman replied, "That’s true. But you’re
young; your legs are strong, and you can run.
I’m old and can’t run like you anymore.
If I ran, I’d fall forward."
Having healthy legs to walk and run is a
condition for happiness. Many wish to run but cannot. Instead of complaining,
shouldn’t we feel grateful? Mindfulness
generates insight, and that insight brings happiness:
"Breathing
in, I know my legs are strong, capable of running and walking. Breathing out, I smile with happiness." Mindfulness
and concentration are the foundation of happiness.
The Gift of Aging
Older people have their own advantages. If they are aware of the conditions for
happiness present within and around them in the moment, they will be deeply
content. Witnessing the fleeting nature
of life brings maturity and the ability to savor every moment, appreciating the
positive elements within themselves. They no longer rush like the young. They sit quietly, living deeply in every
moment.
When young, we are like a rushing
waterfall, pouring from the heights to the depths. In old age, we become a serene river, gently
flowing and reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the riverbed below. The youthful, roaring stream cannot reflect
in the same way. If the elderly can
recognize the positive aspects of their lives, they can also touch true
happiness.
Living with Mindfulness
We need to cultivate mindfulness to
recognize the elements of life present in the current moment, and concentration
helps us live deeply with these elements.
Concentration is the ability to stay focused on an object of meditation
without distraction. Concentration generates joy and peace, sustaining
happiness for a long time.
If we manage the 24 hours of our day
skillfully, we will find that one day of life is abundant. Concentration allows us to feel that a day is
endless. On the other hand, if we live
in distraction—our body here but our mind elsewhere—we lose ourselves and the
essence of life. A day spent in
forgetfulness is a wasted day. But for
those who live mindfully and with concentration, every moment becomes a
treasure of life.
Buddha’s Legacy
The Buddha left us not abstract,
theoretical doctrines but a legacy of his lived experience. Every step of the Buddha radiated peace,
stability, and freedom. His compassion
not only embraced people and beings of his time but continues to touch us in
our era as well.
Excerpt from the book “Breath, Nourishment, and Healing” by Thich Nhat
Hanh.
