Thread by @position_trader

Here are my notes from "The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living" by The Dalai Lama.

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The purpose of life is to be happy.

That’s it.

That’s enough.

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This happiness is determined more by ones state of mind rather than external events.

How happy we are right now is a function of how we perceive our current situation to be, and not the absolute condition.

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Happiness is related to contentment. And contentment depends on how we compare our lot.

We can increase our level of contentment by comparing ourselves to those who are less fortunate than us.

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Self-worth and Relationships -

If your sense of dignity or self-worth comes only from what is material, it can easily be taken away from you.

Same holds true for relationships also - whether your relationship lasts depends on what it is built upon.

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How to make effective choices -

Pleasure is temporary and fleeting, Happiness is permanent.

Before you indulge in something, ask yourself - “Is this action giving me pleasure or is it bringing me happiness?”

Decide accordingly.

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Practice Happiness -

Learn which emotions are positive, and which effect you negatively. Slowly but consciously, start towards eliminating or reducing the effect of negative emotions.

Just observe yourself.

That’s the secret to happiness. Yes, as simple as that.

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How to counter daily stress -

When lost in the nitty-gritty of life, step back and remember the larger picture - to be happy.

Rest is mere details.

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How to reduce conflict -

Approach people from common ground.

All of us have two things in common - all of us want to be happy; all of us want to avoid suffering.

Start from that.

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Suffering -

Our attitude towards suffering determines our attitude towards life.

Life is suffering. It is a natural part of your life. Don’t feel wronged when suffering comes to you.

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Suffering -

Your mind is responsible for your suffering.

But that’s the good news! This means there exists a way of freedom from suffering.

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Causes of Suffering -

The root causes of suffering are three - Ignorance, Craving and Hatred.

Here, ignorance stands for ignorance of Impermanence nature of the world and everything in it.

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Avoid playing a victim -

Realise you are not alone in your suffering.

Everyone goes through it. Yeah, maybe some more, some less.

But don’t feel like a victim. And never get in the blame game. That's just adding to your suffering.

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Release from Suffering -

The beginning of release from suffering is to free oneself of resistance from change.

Nothing lasts forever. Everything changes.

Enjoy it till it lasts.

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Patience and Tolerance

Patient and tolerance are the two tools to broaden your perspective and to combat anger.

And furthermore, patience and tolerance lead to forgiveness.

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Enemy -

Think of your enemy as your aide in testing your patience.

Only your enemy provides you this opportunity; never your friends. Your enemy is your opportunity for growth.

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Usefulness of Suffering -

Your suffering serves a very important purpose - It makes you develop empathy and relate to the suffering of others in the world.

In your suffering, lie the seeds of compassion.

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Cure for Anxiety -

You will not suffer from anxiety if your motivation is pure.

You may or may not succeed in your goal, but your motivation should be pure and wholesome.

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Fear -

The more your actions stem from compassion and from wanting to help others, the less fearful you will be.

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Worry -

If there is a solution to the problem, why worry.

If there is no solution to the problem, why worry.

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Self-doubt and Arrogance -

The solution to self-doubt and arrogance is one and the same:

An honest look at ourselves.

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Happiness comes from a calm, stable mind.

The End of Thread.

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