19 Mar 10 things you can learn from the Dalai Lama to be a happier person
Who better to learn about happiness from than…the Dalai Lama!
As (almost certainly) the most famous Buddhist in the world, and as someone who's way of life puts happiness as it's number one priority, the Dalai Lama lives and breathes positivity and positive emotions (like happiness).
So it's not surprising, then, that there's much we can learn about happiness and living a good life, from the Dalai Lama himself. Thanks to LifeHack we have a nice, succinct list to share with you today…
In his book, The Art of Happiness, the Dalai Lama shares his secrets to a life of contentment. In this post, you’ll get a quick overview of his insights on how to achieve lasting happiness, why compassion and intimacy are so important, and how you can overcome suffering and negative states of mind.
1. Don’t focus on external circumstances.
External events can affect a person’s happiness in the short-term, but our level of happiness tends to revert back to a certain baseline soon after the event. Winning the lottery only produces a short-lived happiness “high,” which subsides quickly.Our mental state, however, constantly affects how we perceive the world. It’s possible to train your mind so that you identify and cultivate positive mental states while eliminating the negative ones. This eventually brings a calmness that allows you to live a happy, joyous life no matter what the external situation.
2. Cultivate universal compassion.
Compassion is a state of mind that is non-aggressive: a wish to see all other living creatures free from suffering. The mental and physical benefits range from experiencing an emotional “high” after helping others, to gaining a longer life expectancy yourself. To cultivate compassion, try to be empathetic towards others and actively try to understand things from their perspective. An effective method for this is to understand their backgrounds and focus on the commonalties you share.
3. Build close, intimate relationships.
Having close relationships with other people promotes both physical and mental well-being. The Dalai Lama himself said he felt an intimate connection with a wide array of people around him (for example, his tutors and cooks). He even went as far as discussing state affairs with a cleaner sweeping the floors. By embracing the countless opportunities to connect to other people every day, we can lead happier lives…
…keep reading the full & original list and article HERE