Buddhism, one of the major religions of the world, provides valuable teachings on how to alleviate sadness in life, among others specifically advocating Contentment, Peace of Mind and Love, all of which lie at the very nucleus of Buddhist teachings.
Contentment and peace of mind are dominantly and inexorably inter-related and inter-dependent, like two sides of the same coin. The human mind tends to continually seek changes and is always dissatisfied and never contented. There is no peace of mind if there is no contentment. A contented person enjoys peace of mind (Purifymind.com).
A person is continually absorbed in the daily happenings of life, permitting the mind to be buffeted by anxieties, fright, longings and dreams – in the process, losing perspective on matters that are genuine and significant. What we think is reality is in fact merely life seen through the perspective of what we want, and it can appear to be very disheartening and despairing. It is impossible to prevent thoughts of want and fear being born in our minds. Once that happens, we have two choices. The first choice is letting ourselves get engrossed and entangled in those thoughts which insist that some feature of ourselves, other people, or the world around us is unendurable and must be altered, effectively telling ourselves: “I can have peace of mind and contentment but this has to change.” The second choice is ‘letting go’ of those thoughts. Succumbing to the first choice will result in our lives becoming disordered and puzzling. It is only when we opt for the second choice that contentment and peace of mind will be restored to us because we then stop constantly looking elsewhere, we accept reality and we stop dreaming of another past or an illusory future. We will then realize that the only place to enjoy peace of mind and contentment is in the existing situation (Bassis).
The process of ‘letting go’ is not easy because the consequences may seem cold and unreal, involving the nonexistence of all that we consider significant and having discernible meaning in life. When we feel something is a problem, we should tell ourselves that there is no problem; we may be required to take rectifying steps but that is not a problem. We should adapt to the requirements of the existing situation and undertake such actions that will cause maximum benefit and minimum harm (Bassis).
The way to ‘let go’ and restore peace of mind and contentment is through Serene Reflection Meditation that promotes viewing and experiencing feelings of happiness or suffering without finding a compulsion to react. Such meditation helps us to glimpse the changeable feature of the many feelings of want and fear that are constantly moving through us. Our mind is based on our faith and in our mounting experience that we find all that we want is already present within our hearts. In the words of the famous Theravadin Master Ajahn Chah: “If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, we will know complete peace and freedom” (Bassis).
Buddhism teaches that love is one of four immeasurable values in life . The great significance attached to love by Buddhism is well illustrated in the words of the great and influential Buddhist thinker Nagarjuna: “Even offering three hundred bowls of food three times a day does not match the spiritual merit gained in one moment of love” (Buddhism.kalachakranet.org).
The precise meaning of love in Buddhism is: ‘desiring other people to be happy.’ Buddhism teaches that love has two characteristics. The first is that it is unselfish, not limited to any restraining conditions, and not dependent on something else being done. The second characteristic is that it does not tolerate attachment (Buddhism.kalachakranet.org).
The Buddhist definition of love is very different from the normal meaning associated with the term of love, one that is characterized by attachment, generally successful relationships and sex – in addition, such features are usually tinged with self-interest. The Buddhist version, however, propagates detachment , and putting the general good and welfare of others first. His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote in Little Book of Buddhism’: If the love within your mind is lost and you see other beings as enemies, then no matter how much knowledge or education or material comfort you have, only suffering and confusion will ensue” (Buddhism.kalachakranet.org).
References
- “The Basic Purpose of Following the Teaching of Buddha.” Purifymind.com. (N.d). Web.
- Bassis, Kinrei. “Peace.” Berkeley Buddhist Priory. 2003.
- “The Four Immeasurables: Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity.” Buddhism.kalachakranet.org. 2006.