AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Dalai lama meaning11/20/2023 ![]() This reaction reinforces the idea that suffering is something intrinsically negative and inescapable, and our relationship with the world and, by extension, society becomes characterized by fear, unhappiness, and animosity. In these moments, we are focused on getting away from it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many people have unhealthy coping mechanisms when it comes to these events, and for expected reasons – suffering often occurs at random, and is seemingly senseless in nature. It’s important for us to reflect on how we deal with suffering, as it often affects how we cope with it when it arises. ![]() Throughout history, life has been characterized by sudden, unexpected, and sometimes violent change society is very much the same today as it was centuries ago in that regard. ![]() As the Dalai Lama puts it, the body is the very basis of suffering. Suffering is part of our human existence. The ability to shift perspective can be one of the most powerful and effective tools we have to help us cope with life’s daily problems, but some people do not have the time nor energy to change their perspective. The idea that happiness and profit margins are one in the same has been a staple of Western culture for decades, and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. In the United States, happiness is sold to us on a television set and on billboards in the form of advertisements society tells us what will make us happy, and how much it’ll cost us. However, it’s important to recognize that this goal can be wishful thinking for some people, especially in Western society. This is a virtuous pursuit that I believe is a worthwhile goal for a good life, as it promotes time to reflect on our own sentience from a global perspective, and opens our minds to patience, humility, and wholesomeness. The greater your ability to understand the beneficial effects, the greater your peace of mind, and the greater your ability to enjoy a long-term, happy life. Conversely, we can see how feelings of frustration, fear, agitation, and anger can be destructive to our health and society. We can see how an affectionate, calm, and wholesome state of mind has beneficial effects not only for our health and physical well-being, but for society as a whole. Following pleasure-driven impulses can often lead to an unstable, harmful, and regressive perspective on life under a pleasure-oriented disposition, you will never be able to achieve true happiness because the desires you crave are unstable and waning by nature. In order for an individual to fully utilize themselves towards the goal of enjoying a happy and fulfilled life, your state of mind is key. The Dalai Lama states that true happiness is cultivated by having a calm state of mind that is rooted in affection, gentleness, and compassion, something that, according to the Dalai Lama, is fundamentally human nature. ![]() Although these things are not inherently negative, viewing long-term happiness in a pleasure-driven perspective is not only a mischaracterization of happiness, but also detrimental to a person’s wellbeing. In Western society, happiness is widely regarded in the lens of activities that bring us immediate, temporary pleasure, such as the desire to acquire material possessions or physical/sexual gratification. ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |