A Voice of Reason in a Turbulent World
On Tuesday 17 July a new series of short videos was launched on Lama Jampa's YouTube channel. Entitled 'Buddhist Life Hacks: A Voice of Reason in a Turbulent World' these videos have Lama Jampa answering FAQ's about Buddhism. Filmed in LA earlier this year the videos are aimed at a broad audience, from practising Buddhists to those curious to know what Buddhism is about and where Buddhists stand on a number of contemporary issues.
The first video in the series is called 'What is Happiness?'
What is Happiness?
Happiness is one of the most misunderstood qualities that we all seek, in whatever form, with advertising slogans and social media hype promising this elusive experience if only we consume. We consider ourselves happy when we get things that make us feel good, whether it’s the perfect job, enough money to live a comfortable life, or the ideal partner. However, Lama Jampa Thaye questions whether happiness can be found in the world around us. When we try to find the things that we think will make us happy, the more desperate we become. He argues that we can never find happiness in the external world. We have to look inwards to find contentment.
Feeling Incomplete and Wanting to be Happy
In this short YouTube video, Lama Jampa deals with the perennial question, ‘What is happiness?’ by looking at why we feel a sense of incompleteness and a feeling of lack:
There’s no object big enough to fill the hole that we feel inside.
This sense of lack, Lama Jampa argues, cannot be filled by external objects or experiences. Instead, we need to look inwards and start to understand our own minds.
Understanding Our Mind
Real happiness can be found by understanding our own mind. When we let go of clinging to the external world to make us happy, we find our mind is free, open, compassionate and full of warmth. We can then be what we are capable of, which is someone who has kindness, concern, intelligence and creativity.
Happiness is Found in Contentment
Lama Jampa concludes by saying that happiness is not found in grasping and struggling with the world. Instead, being happy is about being a good person and looking after others, which does not depend on external things. Happiness is found in contentment.
Watch ‘What is Happiness?’ on YouTube!
Lama Jampa Thaye is a scholar and meditation master trained in the Sakya and Karma Kagyu traditions of Buddhism. He is authorised as a Lama and Vajrayana master by his two main teachers Karma Thinley Rinpoche and His Holiness Sakya Trichen (41st Sakya Trizin).