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All living beings have the same basic wish to be happy and to avoid suffering, but very few people understand the real causes of happiness and suffering.
We generally believe that external conditions such as money, friends, food, cars etc. are the real cause of happiness, and as a result we devote nearly all our time and energy to acquire these. Too often we pursue external things hoping to obtain happiness, and then we find that this happiness is fleeting and temporary.
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Superficially it seems that these can make us happy, but if we look more deeply we shall see that they also bring us a lot of suffering and problems.
Happiness and suffering are states of mind, and so their main causes cannot be found outside the mind. The real source of happiness is inner peace.
If the mind is peaceful we shall be happy all the time, regardless of external conditions. But if it is disturbed or troubled in any way, we shall never be happy, no matter how good our external conditions may be. External conditions can only make us happy if the mind is peaceful.
Meditating on a regular basis is a method to make our mind calm and peaceful. By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind, regardless of external circumstances.
Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency.
If we train in meditation systematically, eventually we shall be able to eradicate from our mind the delusions that are the causes of all our problems and suffering.
Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds. We can send so-called ‘peace-keeping-forces’ into areas of conflict, but peace cannot be imposed from the outside with guns.
Only by creating peace within our own mind and helping others to do the same, can we hope to achieve peace in this world.
Meditation
The New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union is a time-honoured tradition that has made Buddha’s teachings and meditation practices available to people throughout the world.
Gen Kelsang Legden, a Buddhist monk, is the Resident Teacher at the Vajrapani Buddhist Centre in Kensington, Johannesburg, and a member of the NKT – IKBU.
Gen Kelsang Legden, teaches meditation classes twice a week, in Kensington and in Houghton. The classes provide an insight into Buddhist psychology and meditation.
He says, “Many people who attend the meditation classes come because they are looking for some meaning in their lives. We are consumed with negative thoughts, but we need to familiarise ourselves with positive thoughts and attitudes to find an inner balance. What we need to do is to spend some time in reflection and contemplation, and we will realise that true and lasting happiness can only be found within.
Meditating on the Buddhist teachings of wisdom and compassion can help transform daily activities into more meaningful pursuits. It is, therefore, a contribution to more harmony and peace in our communities, and ultimately to world peace. Meditation has helped many people, all over the world, transform their lives.
According to the teachings of Buddha, meditation has a number of benefits:
Meditation increases a positive outlook on life
It reduces stress and anxiety
It controls the mind and brings inner peace
It improves our concentration
It helps us develop better relationships
It teaches us to overcome our delusions such as anger, attachment and ignorance
It helps us maintain greater physical health
Gen Legden said, “We need to practice meditation under the guidance of a teacher until we have fully mastered the technique. If we do it on our own, we might easily develop bad habits and make mistakes, and then wonder why we are not achieving good results, and finally give up.
Buddhism and its emphasis on meditation has a timeless and universal relevance, and can be practiced by anyone, in any culture, regardless of race, religion, gender or age. Through the practice of meditation, we cultivate virtuous intentions and physical well-being.”
"You do not need to become a Buddhist to engage in these practices, and to benefit from them. It is not my intention to convert people to become Buddhists, but to benefit them and make them happy," he says.
Success in study and meditation depends upon creating the right inner conditions such as a strong and pure motivation.
With a good motivation and some effort, we can completely eradicate all negativity and all confusion from the mind. This will fulfil our deepest wish of lasting happiness and inner peace.
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