In this case, my trusted source is his holiness the Dalai Lama, who along with Nelson Mandela and Ghandi, is one of the most trusted sources that one could go to to petition for wise words (although to speak to Ghandi the not uncomplicated business of time travel would also have to be negotiated).
Thankfully, in this modern age, even the most luminous of luminaries have official web pages and that of the Dalai Lama includes information about his schedule, recent press releases, photos of the Dalai Lama (usually smiling, laughing or waving joyfully) and his answer to the age old question: what is the meaning of life?
I'd like to include a quotation from his answer, because I cannot paraphrase his words in any way that will make his messages more meaningful or concise and because there is nothing like wisdom straight from the holiness's mouth.
I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don't know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.
How to achieve happiness
For a start, it is possible to divide every kind of happiness and suffering into two main categories: mental and physical. Of the two, it is the mind that exerts the greatest influence on most of us. Unless we are either gravely ill or deprived of basic necessities, our physical condition plays a secondary role in life. If the body is content, we virtually ignore it. The mind, however, registers every event, no matter how small. Hence we should devote our most serious efforts to bringing about mental peace.
From my own limited experience I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion.
The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the ultimate source of success in life.
As long as we live in this world we are bound to encounter problems. If, at such times, we lose hope and become discouraged, we diminish our ability to face difficulties. If, on the other hand, we remember that it is not just ourselves but every one who has to undergo suffering, this more realistic perspective will increase our determination and capacity to overcome troubles. Indeed, with this attitude, each new obstacle can be seen as yet another valuable opportunity to improve our mind!
Thus we can strive gradually to become more compassionate, that is we can develop both genuine sympathy for others' suffering and the will to help remove their pain. As a result, our own serenity and inner strength will increase.
Our need for love
Ultimately, the reason why love and compassion bring the greatest happiness is simply that our nature cherishes them above all else. The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence. It results from the profound interdependence we all share with one another. However capable and skillful an individual may be, left alone, he or she will not survive. However vigorous and independent one may feel during the most prosperous periods of life, when one is sick or very young or very old, one must depend on the support of others.
Inter-dependence, of course, is a fundamental law of nature. Not only higher forms of life but also many of the smallest insects are social beings who, without any religion, law or education, survive by mutual cooperation based on an innate recognition of their interconnectedness. The most subtle level of material phenomena is also governed by interdependence. All phenomena from the planet we inhabit to the oceans, clouds, forests and flowers that surround us, arise in dependence upon subtle patterns of energy. Without their proper interaction, they dissolve and decay.
It is because our own human existence is so dependent on the help of others that our need for love lies at the very foundation of our existence. Therefore we need a genuine sense of responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others.
We have to consider what we human beings really are. We are not like machine-made objects. If we are merely mechanical entities, then machines themselves could alleviate all of our sufferings and fulfill our needs.
However, since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. Instead, we should consider our origins and nature to discover what we require.
How to achieve happiness
For a start, it is possible to divide every kind of happiness and suffering into two main categories: mental and physical. Of the two, it is the mind that exerts the greatest influence on most of us. Unless we are either gravely ill or deprived of basic necessities, our physical condition plays a secondary role in life. If the body is content, we virtually ignore it. The mind, however, registers every event, no matter how small. Hence we should devote our most serious efforts to bringing about mental peace.
From my own limited experience I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion.
The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the ultimate source of success in life.
As long as we live in this world we are bound to encounter problems. If, at such times, we lose hope and become discouraged, we diminish our ability to face difficulties. If, on the other hand, we remember that it is not just ourselves but every one who has to undergo suffering, this more realistic perspective will increase our determination and capacity to overcome troubles. Indeed, with this attitude, each new obstacle can be seen as yet another valuable opportunity to improve our mind!
Thus we can strive gradually to become more compassionate, that is we can develop both genuine sympathy for others' suffering and the will to help remove their pain. As a result, our own serenity and inner strength will increase.
Our need for love
Ultimately, the reason why love and compassion bring the greatest happiness is simply that our nature cherishes them above all else. The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence. It results from the profound interdependence we all share with one another. However capable and skillful an individual may be, left alone, he or she will not survive. However vigorous and independent one may feel during the most prosperous periods of life, when one is sick or very young or very old, one must depend on the support of others.
Inter-dependence, of course, is a fundamental law of nature. Not only higher forms of life but also many of the smallest insects are social beings who, without any religion, law or education, survive by mutual cooperation based on an innate recognition of their interconnectedness. The most subtle level of material phenomena is also governed by interdependence. All phenomena from the planet we inhabit to the oceans, clouds, forests and flowers that surround us, arise in dependence upon subtle patterns of energy. Without their proper interaction, they dissolve and decay.
It is because our own human existence is so dependent on the help of others that our need for love lies at the very foundation of our existence. Therefore we need a genuine sense of responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others.
We have to consider what we human beings really are. We are not like machine-made objects. If we are merely mechanical entities, then machines themselves could alleviate all of our sufferings and fulfill our needs.
However, since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. Instead, we should consider our origins and nature to discover what we require.
I'm going to interject here purely because I recognise that you are busy people who are not necessarily at luxury to spend all day reading blogs about the meaning of life. Although what I am about to do is probably sacreligious on numerous levels, in the interest of saving you time, I'm going to paraphrase (ie. butcher) the remainder of this message from the Dalai Lama (hanging head in shame. You can read the full text here).
Leaving aside the complex question of creation and evolution we can agree that we're a product of our parents. When a couple decides to have a child, the child's very conception is founded in love.
When we are born we are defenceless and it is through love that our parents care for us. As we grow older we require affection and love to ensure that our brains will mature properly. Love is the most important nourishment that a child receives.
In all areas of life, affection and respect from and of others are vital for our happiness.
No-one is born free from the need for love and thus, human beings cannot be defined as being solely physical.
Some people believe that anger and hatred are dominant of love and compassion, but I do not believe this to be the case. However, we do have an innate self centredness that inhibits love for others.
True happiness can only be brought about by a calm mind and this requires a compassionate attitude.
We must make a concerted effort to develop compassion. When you recognize that all beings are equal in their desire for and right to happiness, you feel empathy with them, which leads to a wish to help them to overcome their problems and this wish applies to all. It is within your power to develop this kind of compassion.
We can begin by removing anger and hatred. Through reason and patience we can develop a controlled energy to help us to handle difficult situations. Compassion is peaceful and gentle but it is also powerful.
Thinking that compassion and reason and patience are good will not be sufficient to develop them. We must practice. For this reason, our enemies are our best teachers.
Anger and hatred will always be harmful unless we train our minds and work to reduce their negative force.
It is natural and right that we all want friends. When we have money it often seems that we have many friends, but these are friends of our money and our power. We must prepare for times when we do not have money or power and make genuine friends who will help us when the need arises.
In conclusion, I would like to expand this point to state that individual happiness can contribute in a profound and effective way to the overall improvement of our entire human community.
We all share an identical need for love and in whatever circumstances we meet, we are brothers and sisters.
I believe that at every level, the key to a happier, more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.
I try to treat whoever I meet as an old friend. This gives me a genuine feeling of happiness. It is the practice of compassion.
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