Dear Buddist,
What is the secret to a happy life?
Sincerely,
One who could tolerate some improvement
All beings want to be happy and not suffer. The secret to a happy life is learning to be with what arises in the mind no matter what it is.
For exampe, if anger arises, notice it, don't suppress it. Give it some space. Invite it to the table of your loving mind. It's the nature of the mind to have these passing experiences. Problem is they are so compelling when they arise that we get lost in them. Then we create karma through speaking and acting. This leads to unhappiness.
The cloud of anger comes through and it seems dense and we get caught up in action/reaction and we forget that under the cloud is the clear blue sky and radiant sun.
I forget all the time. Something can come and set me off and there I go following it.
Everytime I catch it. it's a moment of enlightenment, then I have the opportunity to come back to my senses.
That's why most Buddhist meditation practices are sensual. The sensations of breathing, of listening, of contact with the earth, of seeing shapes and shadows color and light.
It breaks up the solidity of these unwholesome mental states. When there is freedom from suffering, happiness is close by.
I'm good person to ask this kind of question because I fail every day. I rejoice when I remember and I regret when I forget. I just keep trying.
