Inner Peace and Happiness

March 11, 2019

Have you ever looked forward to an experience, such as a day at the beach, only to be disappointed by foul weather or bad traffic? Have you ever gotten excited about a new gadget or item of clothing, only to lose it, break it, or just grow tired of it? Do you often depend on a friend, partner or loved one for enjoyment but can also remember many instances when they have irritated or disappointed you?

We often find ourselves looking outward to experiences, things and people as a source of happiness. In Buddhism, however, we understand that true, permanent happiness can never come from anything external but instead, comes from within, from a peaceful mind. In The Joyful Path of Good Fortune, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso writes “Since happiness is a state of mind, its main cause must also be a state of mind.” In fact, once we train our minds to recognize and let go of the things that agitate us and make us unhappy, we discover that peace is our natural state of being.

In this video, Kadam Morten shows us just how happiness depends on a peaceful mind and how we can learn to train this state of mind.

Other Blog Posts

kadam-matthew-riechers

Meet Kadam Matthew – Our New Wednesday GP Teacher!

Meet our new Wednesday evening General Program class teacher, Kadam Matthew!

henry-kadampa-meditation-center-nyc

Henry: Bringing Dharma to the Classroom

Imagine having a classroom of 30 kids. You’re up there trying to teach, but you can’t get a word out, because, all of a sudden, they are all screaming, and…

todd-killian-kadampa-nyc-teacher-spotlight

Todd: A Meaningful Way to Spend Retirement

I retired 13 months ago. These days I’m spending most of my time immersed in the Dharma – reading, thinking, meditating and practicing Buddha’s teachings…and I also volunteer at the…

woo-kadampa-nyc-teacher-spotlight

Woo: Our Main Teacher at Our New Queens Branch

One way in which you can create your life is through will power. You have a vision of what you think happiness is and then you push your way forward…

hanna-raschl-mcronald-kadampa-nyc-education

Hanna: Born and Raised Kadampa

HANNA is the newest member of our KMC NYC Education Team. Check out our interview below where she shares her lifelong journey (yes, lifelong!) in Buddhism. Welcome, Hanna! Right from…

open-mic-open-mind-kadampa-nyc

Open Mic Open Minds

Blog Center Happenings Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit An evening of transforming enjoyments and celebrating our precious dharma center with…

france-roy

Inner Peace is True Mental Health

Meet our new Tuesday evening General Program class teacher, France Roy and hear what he has to say about meditation and mental health.

Gen Menla in NYC 2024 6

Three Public Talks in Three Days – Gen Menla’s 2024 Visit to NYC!

Blog Center Happenings Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit In early March, we had the pleasure of welcoming Gen Menla at…

how-to-meditate-kadampa-meditation-center-nyc

How To Meditate – A Guide

How to Meditate When practiced correctly, meditation is a scientific method for increasing happiness. Buddha discovered that we each have a natural reservoir of inner peace in our mind which…

change-your-mind-change-your-world-kadampanyc1

Change Your Mind, Change Your World

“We may think that our suffering is caused by other people, by poor material conditions or by society, but in reality it all comes from our own deluded states of…

Meet Our Sangha

Sangha refers to our supreme spiritual friends who inspire us by their example, assist us in our practice, and encourage us to follow correct spiritual paths.

kelly

Kelly: Identifying with Her Limitless Potential

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-tamara

Tamara: Transformation Through Compassion

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-lee

Lee: Love, Compassion and Relationships

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-miri

Miri: Making the Teachings Personal

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-alexarya

Alexarya: I Know The Buddhas Are With Me

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-rebecca

Rebecca: Discovering Life’s Purpose

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-saran

Saran: Recognizing the Kindness of Others

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-alex

Alex: The Best Protection from Life’s Problems

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-justine

Justine: Seeing the Real Problem and Finding the Solution

kadampa-nyc-spotlight-sangha-greg

Spotlight on Our Sangha: Greg