Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo talks about contentment

The Buddha talked about the Monkey Mind – our usual state of consciousness, which jumps from past to future, endlessly restless, and always grasping on to new sense objects.

This agitated mind is usually mixed up with greed and attachment, or anger, irritation and frustration, so we are bound by the rope of gain and loss.

Our consumer society promises happiness by getting more and more. But the Buddha said this is like drinking salty water – the more we drink, the thirstier we become. While on the contrary, spirituality advises us that true satisfaction comes from letting go and simplifying – cultivating contentment and appreciation for what we already have.

Genuine happiness does not depend on outer sensory pleasures but on the inner joy that arises from a well-tamed mind. Happiness comes with a mind that cultivates kindness and compassion both for ourselves and for others.

A healthy and well-balanced mental state sees with clarity and awareness how things really are. As we grow in insight and understanding, our hearts open in unconditional love for all beings, not just humans, not just those we are related to or whom we like, and gradually we experience an inner freedom that is not dependent on outer circumstances.

During our daily lives we try to become more aware – more mindful – of our mental and physical actions, and also cultivate more kindness towards others, recognising that just as we wish to be well and not suffer, so everyone would like to feel all right rather than be sad or anxious.

We are all very interconnected at a deeper level.

So we live our lives breathing in for our own well-being and inner cultivation, and breathing out to benefit and bring happiness to others to the best of our abilities.

Genuine happiness is a state of the heart where the Monkey transforms into a Buddha.