- Published on
We might be inclined to think that joyfulness is better than sadness. That is a very conventional human perspective: let’s be happy all of the time. Buddhism teaches us to embrace all emotions. There there will be difficulty and loss. And when there is difficulty and loss, it is appropriate to be sad. When sorrow arises, go with it. Observe it. Please pay attention to what it is like to experience loss. - Margaret Meloni
- Published on
In 1938 researchers connected with Harvard University began a study of happiness. They started with a group of teenagers from Harvard College and a group of teens from one of Boston’s poorest neighborhoods. This gave them two contrasting groups: one very privileged and one highly disadvantaged. They were tracked their entire lives and, later were added their spouses (for gender balance). Today they are studying their children. This research has gone on for 85 years to date.
In his book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, Dr. Robert Waldinger was asked: “Watching and talking to people over the course of their whole lives, what did you learn about what makes life happy and meaningful?” Dr. Waldinger said two important lessons emerged.
First is the importance of maintaining good health. “If you take care of your health, you are happier, healthier, and you live longer. That’s not a surprise, but it’s important to know there’s hard science behind this, that taking care of our bodies—not drinking too much, getting exercise, all of those things—really matters to leading a happy life.”
The second factor was the importance of had close, positive connections with others. This came as “more of a surprise to us” Dr. Waldinger said. “We found that the people who were healthiest, happiest, and lived longest were people who had warm, closer connections with other people. So better relationships actually get inside your body and impact your health.”
There are three observations I draw from this study.
1) Maintaining good health should be a “no brainer” yet people are not using their brain. Every day I encounter people smoking (cigarettes or marijuana). Every day I come across people who drink far too much alcohol and are functional alcoholics. And, of course, every day I see people who are clearly over fed but vastly under exercised.
2) In spite of our ability to “connect” via modern technology (zoom, social media, texting etc) people are more lonely than they’ve ever been. In fact, studies indicate strongly that loneliness is rising and may become a psychological epidemic.
3) It’s never too late to take corrective steps, to change the direction of life. No one is ever beyond the point of self-redemption. Rectifying simple requires an awakening for turning waekness and suffering into favorable conditions.
In his book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, Dr. Robert Waldinger was asked: “Watching and talking to people over the course of their whole lives, what did you learn about what makes life happy and meaningful?” Dr. Waldinger said two important lessons emerged.
First is the importance of maintaining good health. “If you take care of your health, you are happier, healthier, and you live longer. That’s not a surprise, but it’s important to know there’s hard science behind this, that taking care of our bodies—not drinking too much, getting exercise, all of those things—really matters to leading a happy life.”
The second factor was the importance of had close, positive connections with others. This came as “more of a surprise to us” Dr. Waldinger said. “We found that the people who were healthiest, happiest, and lived longest were people who had warm, closer connections with other people. So better relationships actually get inside your body and impact your health.”
There are three observations I draw from this study.
1) Maintaining good health should be a “no brainer” yet people are not using their brain. Every day I encounter people smoking (cigarettes or marijuana). Every day I come across people who drink far too much alcohol and are functional alcoholics. And, of course, every day I see people who are clearly over fed but vastly under exercised.
2) In spite of our ability to “connect” via modern technology (zoom, social media, texting etc) people are more lonely than they’ve ever been. In fact, studies indicate strongly that loneliness is rising and may become a psychological epidemic.
3) It’s never too late to take corrective steps, to change the direction of life. No one is ever beyond the point of self-redemption. Rectifying simple requires an awakening for turning waekness and suffering into favorable conditions.
- Published on
Artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be a philosopher or spiritual leader because machines cannot be made capable of abstract thinking or of inspiration. Without these qualities, there would be no Aristotle, Buddha, or Martin Luther, all of whom produced profound insights into the nature of the universe and the human condition. - Weijian Shan
- Published on
All the Buddhas have left us their scriptures only because humans are so hard to change. - Shide
- Published on
Does compassion arise without effort? Is your devotional longing great? Is your mind stable in concentration? Do you experience a strong feeling of revulsion for worldly concerns? Is your diligence strong? Do you experience an increase in pure appearances? If all these experiences are occurring, these are the signs that you have made spiritual progress. - Lhatsunpa Kunga Chokyi Gyatso
- Published on
Gain and loss, happiness and sorrow, amount in effect to mental restlessness or instability; they set the mind spinning. This is what is meant by grasping.
- Buddhadasa
- Buddhadasa
- Published on
Each of you must look very carefully into your own
hearts and see absolutely clearly whether life is a
prison for you or not. - Buddhadasa
hearts and see absolutely clearly whether life is a
prison for you or not. - Buddhadasa
- Published on
See if you can bear sufferings such as illness, being undermined, and despised. To be unable to do so is to be ordinary, a sign you have not completed the path. —Khenpo Gangshar
- Published on
Whenever I feel the shadows creeping in, I increase the light however I can. - Tina Turner
- Published on
There is far more need for meditation now than there was in the time of the Buddha. - Buddhadasa