Cultivating True Happiness

Happiness comes in the form of ice cream sometimes too

Here are some contemplations surrounding true happiness to help inspire you on a path of healing, transformation, and joy for yourself, your family, and society. This post is inspired by the monastics from Plum Village Deer Park whom I recently practiced meditation with at the YMCA Estes Park in Colorado, USA. I am feeling called towards the practice of true happiness especially right now, as I come down from a difficult year and try to let go of the challenges and find my inner peace.

The Five Mindfulness Trainings Overview

Happiness seems easier to touch when in nature

One aspect of the plum village deer park meditation retreat I attended was reciting, practicing, and meditating on what they call the “Five Mindfulness Trainings”. These trainings (or sutras or precepts) represent the Buddhist vision for a global spirituality and ethic. They are a concrete expression of the Buddha’s teachings and are meant to help us on the path of right understanding and true love, leading to healing, transformation, and happiness for ourselves and the world. When I read these trainings I felt like, “YES! THIS!”. The trainings put more concrete and succinct words and concepts to ways I’ve been trying to live most of my life. I am excited and committed to practicing these trainings with an online sangha (community) once per month and am slowly digesting them and seeing where I feel called to make adjustments in my life. I am attempting to share and practice each training here on my web home in case others are looking for thoughts and inspiration in this vain. I have separated each sentence out and highlighted key components. I’ve also added my two cents here and there in parentheses, because it helps it land better for me personally and perhaps it will for you too.

Second Mindfulness Training (Practice): True Happiness

The monastics brought us back to smiles so easily with simple music and fun with kids

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting.

I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.

I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; that running after wealth, fame, power, and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair.

I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy.

I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth and stop contributing to climate change.

Bonus Heart Sutra Chant

During our recent sangha and recitation of the 5 mindfulness trainings we listed to this beautiful heart sutra chant while meditating. Perhaps you will enjoy.

Thanks for joining me on the path.

Photos from Earth, Our True Nature Retreat at Estes Park YMCA August 2024, https://deerparkmonastery.org/photo/earth-our-true-nature-retreat-photo-gallery/