華麗的冒險

Study Group Reflection: Seeking Happiness

November 16, 2013 at 6:51pm

"Where is happiness? There is happiness in religion, cultivation, serving others, and a calm mind. When we have heart and mind, happiness is right within." -- Between Ignorance and Enlightenment

 

During the study group, we focus our discussion on the following three points:

 

1. Don't know how to achieve happiness: Not sure what to do; does not have goal; does not find his or her own passion; 

2. Lose happiness: feel depressed that the happiness was lost; or trying desperately to experience happiness again

3. Cause others unhappiness when seeking own happiness: hurting others lona the path

 

The first situation is caused by not knowing self or understand our mind. Second situation is often the result of not understanding the impermanence. Third situation is the result of self ignorance. Although the article we read end with the passage: "there is happiness in religion, cultivation, serving others, and a calm mind", I think people might still find themselves miserable if they do not know how to handle the three situations mentioned above. We see many people take their religion very seriously and force others to convert as to "spread the joy". Where's the happiness for the person who were forced to listening to preaching? Someone can be very diligent and enjoy the peace and joy experienced during meditation. But once meditation session ended, you have to let go of the session. We also see people very interested in volunteering. However, without a goal or passion in serving others, the initial motivation soon wear out.

 

I believe realizing the truth, understanding impermanence, and practicing no-self will be useful to deal with corresponding situations mentioned above. Perhaps next study group, we can explore this topic.