Not Only Sadness But Happiness Can Also Make You Suffer: Mindfulness
During our childhood, we all stay cheerful, and so was I. I approached my studies with discipline, dedicating my full concentration in class while also offering assistance to my friends to help them improve. In studies, sports, drawing, recitation — in almost every activity, I was the all-time topper and the most favorite student of my teachers. I was playful, and I was happy.
As I grew, the complexities of life began to emerge. Though I remained consistent as the top performer, the fear of maintaining my top position brought anxiety into my life, casting shadows over my joy. Alongside, anger, hatred, and jealousy, the siblings of fear, infiltrated my world, disrupting the peace I once cherished.
Instead of acknowledging my achievements, I began to punish myself even for any trivial mistake. My mind was constantly preoccupied with thoughts of what could have been, wishing for a better life instead of appreciating my accomplishments.
As time passed, I was fortunate to have good people in my life who helped me see that life was truly a blessing. It wasn’t life itself that was harsh on me, but rather, it was my own thoughts that caused my suffering.
We all know about Prince Siddhartha, who was born into a royal family in Nepal. Driven by curiosity about the cause of suffering, he renounced all his possessions and embarked on a journey of introspection. After many years of practice, he achieved full enlightenment at the age of thirty-five, earning the title of Buddha, or the Awakened One.
He said that neither happiness nor sadness is the root of suffering. Instead, it’s the thoughts that happiness may leave soon or that sadness will never dissipate, which cause us to suffer. Constantly dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, our brains tend to overlook the beauty of the present, leaving us fearful and anxious.
Gautam Buddha taught various meditation techniques aimed at cultivating mindfulness, insight, and inner peace. One of the core principles of Buddha’s meditation teachings is mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment with openness and acceptance, without judgment.
Mindfulness meditation typically involves several key steps:
1. Settle into a Comfortable Position
2. Bring your attention to your breath. Notice the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves your body.
3. As you continue to focus on your breath, it is inevitable that thoughts will come to your mind. Don’t ignore them, let them come.
4. Acknowledge their presence and allow them to be as they are. Do not judge your thoughts. Do not be harsh on yourself.
5. Now gently guide your attention back to the breath.
Use the breath as an anchor to bring you back to the present moment whenever you become lost in thought. Its all about coming back again and again.
Through this practice, we cultivate an attitude of kindness and compassion towards ourself and others and we find our ability to stay at present.
When you’ve caused harm or been harmed, and guilt lingers, seek for forgiveness from yourself, from those affected, and from any divine entity you believe in. For Buddha, forgiveness is a path to personal liberation and profound peace. Never hurt yourself even if you have committed any mistake. Make sure you do not repeat. Being happy or being unhappy, both are okay. Just don’t let them make you suffer.
Be gentle to your thoughts. Be gentle to yourself. Be gentle to everyone around you. Be more soft, kinder, compassionate.
Never judge!!!
Love yourself….
To know in details about this meditation techniques, you can refer to this one — https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
