What is true happiness?

Allen Wallace ... He is a scholar and also a famous American Buddhism. He runs the long-term program in Santa Barbara Institute and UCLA, the study of the relationship between meditation and happiness. In this article, and he shared about his new book titled Genuine Happiness, has just been published. Please to send to our readers near and far.

One morning early in the Transformation Thu,

West Virginia, United States

-OoOoo-

What is a true happiness (genuine happiness)?

- I think we use the word "human flourishing" (human flourishing) are more accurate, since it derives from the word eudaimonia of Greece. Translation is also true happiness, but I think "flourishing" (flourishing) are more accurate.

And that will bring happiness to us?

- A meaningful life.

What makes our lives meaningful?

- In my opinion it is for every day not only for a living. I see four factors for a happy day. The first is that today I live in morality or not? And here was I just talking about basic moral only in Buddhism, for example, do not harm anyone, do not talk harshly to someone, try to practice compassion and mindfulness. The second thing is that I feel happy instead of suffering. I met people who have practiced, they also expressed at a peace in their steps, in their behavior for the difficulties in life and in contact with others. The third thing is to find the truth, want to see and understand the reality, their own truth and life. And we can sit in his small room that can still do all those things. But this in no one of us is separate and independent of all. So want a happy life, we must say this fourth question, "What I bring to this life?"

If I can look back one day in his life and found that all four factors: morality, happiness, truth and thinking around, I can say that "I am a happy person."

The problem is not happiness depends on our bank account, or attitudes of the wife or husband, to work or the amount of our salaries. We can live a meaningful round, even though if we are left with ten minutes to live in this life.

Among these four factors did not have health, so health is a factor not important?

- The truth is not! One of my students was wearing a very rare disease and incurable, every day he must be hospitalized for treatment and medication. And you have to live like the rest of his remaining. We can say that "It is poor and suffering for you! Pitiful situation that too!" But the other day I saw him, he told me: "Allen, I'm 'flourishing' here!" And I felt that I really like that. He found his way to go between the limits, and in what conditions are present with him. His mind clear. He read books, his writing, his growth. He meditated every day, and he also taught meditation for incurable patients in the hospital.

He lived a life so full of meaning circle, and I can honestly say I'm happy.

The secret of what he is?

- He did not go looking for happiness outside of yourself. When we rely on status, money, on their spouse to make you happy, then we will never be happy. Because we rely on what is not yours. And again, those around us also are fighting for the things that money and status, they are ineligible for the field where all. Sadly so.

What fun it is worth?

- The good news is that true happiness does not bring the mall outlined above, that whenever there is money we can buy for yourself. One of the secrets that very few discoveries are: the happiness that we are looking at those in high office, in an exemplary husband or wife, good children, adequate health, employment , good security, beautiful appearance ... in fact they are always available inside us, just come into contact only. Instead of looking outside, why not try turning it inside yourself to look away, try to see why!

But that does not mean we will not get the husband or wife, a car, or looking for a job like that. But I just wanted to say, if you are happy, that happiness does not depend on external factors, since they are not in your control.

Everyone says money, status does not bring her happiness, but few people really live like this is where?

- Actually, in our hearts we can not really trust. We still go looking outside, pursue what we think it will bring you happiness - fame, position, love, security and feelings about money. We do not have hope and faith in a certain true happiness. I told myself: "Perhaps a true happiness is not present where, say so neat to hear only. I shall be content with an iPod or a widescreen TV, then so is fun. Not required or What most distant wish "Or he who said:" Do not talk happy, just tried to pass today is strong enough then! " I think they are really pitiful!

So if this is not a desperation?

- It is a condition where the mind is no more space, we lose a large view. I think from the heart (loving kindness). When practicing kindness, we begin with a love for yourself. But that does not mean that "what is the best job for me? How much is this worth to you?" But it is: "How can we be prosperous?" "We should have a way to live happy, peaceful and meaningful here?" And then, we extend that vision to: "How do people live in misery to find a truly happy here?"

Shantideva said: "Those who went into hiding to avoid suffering just plug the rush to a place of suffering. Because of the desire of happiness that they accidentally break away happy that they are, and who view them as enemy ". Why so? Why we chose the little practice, if it can bring yourself a true happiness?

- Actually, the answer is because we did not know what I can bring a true happiness. Will need a long time and the experience of suffering before we wake up and recognize what is happening. We are tightly woven into the image, the notion of the "If only my spouse is so, if I was to get such work, get some money like that, so my general area, my health so ... I'll be happy. " But that's just an illusion only.

We sure everyone knows who has full health, money, status, excess of love ... but they also still full of suffering. These people are our teachers because they taught us a great lesson. They teach, we discover that he could hit a large number of tickets for life but lost the ticket order of happiness.

When he speaks of a "true happiness", it probably took him to suggest that in life there are other kinds of happiness?

- Yeah right! We often confuse what the Buddha called the Bat Room, disturbed eight winds of life, and that is happiness. Eight wind was prevalent down their wish, want fun, but avoid suffering, to be commended without blame, want fame without being despised. But we must remember this, there is nothing actually wrong with the rich, happy, be commended, and has the reputation of all. For example, to talk about wealth, say like if we have a new sweater. If we'd gone out a new shirt, we are a better man does not? Of course not! Actually there is nothing wrong with that all issues, but it is very wrong if we said that it could bring her happiness.

Real happiness is exposed to the root of happiness, not only to capture the factors that may or may not be manipulated to be happy. And the difference between practice and go chase the disturbed eight winds of life is in place. However, many people go to practice for the purpose of satisfying bowl style tops that, to find a joy in meditation. They see meditation as a cup of coffee, an exercise treadmill, or the massage is so. In fact that it is also nothing wrong with anything, but have limited it is. Meditation can do a job that massage can not be done, it can heal the wounds in our minds.

The way this happiness seems to require us to have a faith and a huge detachment. It was a little bit scary. If I let go of all the external things that I would become what it is?

- Actually, we do not need to jump into deep water do. It's like a natural day inspires us up and declared that: "The world is like a fire house. Fully suffering. I will give up all to find a bliss in Buddhism . " Then a few of days, weeks or months is very good, I will say: "Wow, this is a practice where nothing is what happiness or peace as they say where, but does not know the iPod, the TV or old mistress where is my baby, anyone know where is it? "

So the problem is not that suddenly abandon immediately all of them fun, bowl style of life, teaching and practice of Buddhism deeply. Just like teaching a child new to this pool, we can not see the baby into deep water and see what happens! I set it to swim in shallow places familiar from before. Also, we walk slowly but firmly. Start with a little meditation every morning and every evening. See it affects our day look like. Slowly we will taste the flavors of the law. I can feel that "it is also rather interesting! I feel happier. Which is not only happy time, it is also slightly more virtuous. I see reality more clearly. And if like, now we have been able to help people around and better life, thanks to his practice. " I really have happier, and we also have confidence in yourself to go over the road. Eight agitated wind still blows in life, they continue to come and go. They are still there, but now we can use them to add support for the practice of his.

Thus we can conclude that the path of the Buddha enlightened not only to the Tree of Enlightenment, but also to bring happiness to others?

- I believe that the Buddha was a very experienced and extraordinarily deep under the Tree of Enlightenment. But they also realized that enlightenment will not be fulfilled if his results do not share it with others. Enlightenment is not to separate yourself, "Now I delectable then. Afterward, there, then take time off." Our world is transformed by the presence of the Buddha in this life. But not the 49 days he sat under the Tree of Enlightenment makes this life is transformed, that is 45 years later, when the Buddha went out to meet and contact with the impoverished class, kings, soldiers rank, beggar ... He also met who share his enlightenment with others.

Therefore, the back four factors that I mentioned up above, while sitting under the Tree of Enlightenment Buddha is promoting three fronts: virtue, happiness and truth. And 45 years later he developed factor Wednesday, bring happiness into your life. And I think the Buddha is the stereotype of a happy life full of meaning and round.

But here I must also warn you in advance, sometimes want to interact with the real happiness (genuine happiness), you also have to bear to pass up a plasma TV and my iPod a little!

END=VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY BACH LIEN HOA.( TAM THANH ).MHDT.11/5/2012.NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).