Improving Our State of Mind
We humans believe ourselves to be the most powerful, evolved creature among all species because of our profound intellect, skillful discernment, and advanced physical capabilities. Ceaselessly competing in the marketplace and workplace, relentlessly striving to win, and compulsively wanting to achieve the ultimate objective of happiness leave us forever chasing external gratification.
People approach the pursuit of happiness with a basic assumption that it can be found outside themselves, from external conditions. This propels humanity to continually seek progress and the improvement of things in the external world. We assume that if we improve our outer environment, we will procure happiness and pleasure. We find repeatedly that this doesn’t work. Although we may continue to improve and make the outer world more impressive, gain material goods, or increase our social progress, there is no direct effect on improving our state of mind. Where there may be coincidental relationship between our experience of happiness and the outer environment, there is no guarantee that these outer changes will improve our state of mind or increase our degree of satisfaction.
Excerpt From
Loving Life As It Is
Chakung Jigme Wangdrak
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