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The basis for transformation

Last Updated 13 September 2009, 17:44 IST

Why should I change? Aren't I okay the way I am? Possibly. On the other hand, if you are not happy and not getting the results you want in life, may be you need some guidance.

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, the Living Buddha, who resides as a Tibetan refugee in Dharmasala, India, has demonstrated by his own example, a way to lasting happiness. Drawing on the sacred teachings of Buddha, His Holiness shows us how to overcome our troubles. He says that there is a basis for transformation.

 "The whole point of transforming our heart and mind is to find happiness," he notes. "We all have the natural desire to be happy and the wish to overcome suffering. This is a fact, so we can make it our starting point." Finding happiness, is it really possible? I have often witnessed it as a fleeting event. It's true, though, that I have met people who in spite of their trials and tribulations are rooted in an inner calm. Perhaps I need to first transform my definition of happiness from that elated carefree feeling we sometimes experience into something more constant, a steadiness of faith that all will come out right.  How do we do that?

According to Jampel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, born in Takster, Amdo region of Tibet, into a humble farming family on July 5, 1935, "The key to transforming our hearts and minds is to have an understanding of the way our thoughts and emotions work.  We need to learn how to identify the opposing sides in our inner conflicts.  With anger, for example, we need to see how destructive anger is, and, at the same time, realize that there are antidotes within our own thoughts and emotions that we can use to counter it. So, first, by understanding that afflictive thoughts and emotions are destructive and negative and second, by trying to strengthen our positive thoughts and emotions, which are their antidotes, we can gradually reduce the force of our anger, hatred, and so on."

Most of us are full of love and compassion; but we frequently do not express these emotions openly.  If we can do this at home, understanding and forgiving our own, we ought to be able to include others-co-workers, neighbours, enemies. "Therefore, we have to develop love and compassion consciously," His Holiness stresses, "in order to enhance their strength. We are, in fact, talking about a way of cultivating habits that are positive."

So the beginning of transformation is understanding that there is a basis for it; and that is simply the wish to be happy and free from suffering. 

Therefore, stopping the negative thought when it comes is imperative for success.

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(Published 13 September 2009, 17:44 IST)

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