What Makes Us Happy

A recent feed from The Buddhist Channel proclaims that Scientists Want to Know What Makes Us Happy. The article by Justin Maynor suggests that money can't buy happiness, but mindfulness might yield joy. Happiness is alluded to as a goal of the ego—temporary, fleeting, conditioned on externals. Joy, interviewees suggest, is a deeper contentment that can come through meditation practice or reliance on a higher power.

I'm noticing that the moment I intellectually "got" the fact that meditation/zen practice is no quick fix, my practice waned. I'm noticing that although I recognize the fact that practice won't "fix" me, and although I conceptually "get" how my life/the world can benefit from my practice, I'm not practicing as much as I was when I started this blog.

What am I waiting for? Happiness?

Life gets hard. I get tired. I have other responsibilities. So what? Maybe the anxiety of these past few months might've lessened if I continued daily practice instead of settling for weekly sittings at the temple. Maybe if I had listened to my teacher and practiced with Mu I would have known what to do to alleviate my stressors weeks ago.

Two weeks ago at temple I arrived late for interviews. I stood waiting mindfully with hands in hap'chang and listened to the bell ringing in the first morning sitting. We knelt quickly on a landing midway up the stairs.

"Just do your practice," she urged gently. "How are you practicing?"

"Alternating between counting breaths and Mu," I respond.

"Do Mu... use it like a sword. It can cut through anything," she says.

I'm still uncomfortable with Mu. I feel like it gets stuck in my throat. I don't really understand it. Blah, Blah, Blah. I contemplate it more than I sit with it. It's time to start really practicing it. It could be my path to joy. How will I know if I don't jump in with both feet and really try?

Comments

[Amadeus]

Studies show you are already happier, but could you get more happier?

Here is an old article I remember reading when it was first published. I thought I would pass it on if you haven't already seen it.

Buddhists 'really are happier'

Scientists say they have evidence to show that Buddhists really are happier and calmer than other people. >>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3047291.stm

[Jeff]

I've been getting this way with my practice too. What meditation I do doesn't seem enough.

Perhaps it's time to take a retreat, formal or personal, if you get an opportunity soon. One of these weekends I'm going to go away for a day or two and just meditate.

[chalip]

Thanks Amadeus... I plan to read the article this weekend...

And Jeff, I don't know what's up with me and my practice. I feel like I'm in a serious rut. A retreat sounds like just what I need... even if it's just me. Excellent suggestion. Now I just need to enroll my folks into the idea of keeping their granddaughter for a weekend. Shouldn't have to twist too many arms.

[Inner Peace]

I am curious about your thoughts on Diamond Alignment, a 6-minute web presentation which offers stress relief merely by watching it daily.

[gennick]

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