I am reading or rather listening to an audible book titled ‘The Art of Happiness’ by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler. Howard brings a Western perspective to Happiness and the two have a lively conversation about many issues related to happiness and the mind.
I have only listened to 1½ hours of a 10 hour book and it’s already having a profound effect on me.
‘Happiness is the absence of suffering’, a quote that will live with me forever.
How about looking at your day and reviewing it in terms of percentage of suffering vs percentage of happiness. This could be a fabulous measurement in terms of reflecting on how your mind behaves. More suffering each day will inevitably lead to depression, disease and discomfort at some stage. More happiness each day will lead, well, to more happiness longer term. Inevitably a longer life without disease or discomfort.
So what amounts to suffering?
This is just a starter for a list and feel free to add to it if you wish, I am sure you can think of more, but actually is there anything else?
- Negative thoughts about yourself
- Negative thoughts about others
- Judging yourself
- Judging others
- Disease, physical or mental, including pain
- Addictions to anything
Happy suffering?
It’s in the noticing
I notice
It’s in the reflecting
I reflect
It’s in the walking
I’m making progress
It’s in the fearing
I’m standing still
It’s when the suffering
Takes hold
It’s when the doubting
Slows me down
But in the absence
There’s happiness
And in the absence
There’s no suffering