Desire and Happiness
In this book, How to Relax, Thay described how to notice desire in order to find happiness.
The Buddha often said that many people confuse desire with happiness. Before he became a monk, the Buddha had grown up as a prince and had tasted a life of trying to satisfy desires, so his words came from experience. He said that true happiness is a life with few desires, few possessions, and the time to enjoy the many wonders in us and around us.
Desire means to be caught in unwholesome longing. When the mind is desiring, we are aware of the presence of that state of mind. Tell yourself:
"This is the mind longing for wealth."
"This is the mind desiring reputation."
When the mind isn't desiring, it's important to observe that the desiring mind is not present.
"This is the sense of ease that accompanies the absence of a mind desiring wealth."
"This is the sense of ease that accompanies the absence of a mind desiring reputation," etc.
We can experience happiness, ease, and peace when we observe these moments of no desire. Desirelessness is the basic condition that makes possible the feelings of joy, peace, and ease that come with living a simple life. Simplicity means to have few desires, to be content with a simple life and just a few possessions. Desirelessness is the basis of true happiness, because in true happiness there must be the elements of peace, joy, and ease.
