Happiness Path – The 14th Dalai Lama
His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama has suggested, among many other important things, that 
humans may experience true inner happiness by regular practice on the path to enlightenment. In his 2012 book, From Here to Enlightenment, he noted that personal happiness may be attained via specific behaviors and ways of being. Here is list for you to consider.
- Work at having a sound mind. Psychological health includes moderation in thoughts and overcoming afflictions. Mind-soundness and health allow us to experience the feelings of joy. Thus we feel happier.
- Practice being within a mental reality that is relatively free from suffering. Suffering (like neutrality and happiness) are norms of human nature. Using wisdom to reduce your suffering opens mind-doors to the experiences and feelings of joy. It is all about your personal emotions.
- Realizing that long-term, natural happiness is supported by ongoing life experience with brief moments of joy and happiness. Happiness is an inside deal. It is all about how we react to the realities of the moment.
- Practice greater acceptance and gratitude. Practice greater mental recognition of improved life satisfaction. Avoid traps of general dissatisfaction made stronger by by attachment, desire, clinging, and craving.
- Practice stronger and stronger self-compassion. This is a required foundation for compassionate actions on behalf of others.
- Practice greater and greater compassion for others, including thoughts, works, and actions.
- Allowing the gentle expansion of wisdom and skilled awareness through the regular practices of meditation and compassion. Wisdom and inner peace make space for joy.
- Learning how to use your wisdom-mind to improve regulation of self-discipline in the actions of brain, mind, heart, body, and emotions – all in the present moment of experience.
- Learning how to let go of personal stuckness in the past and fearful apprehension of the future. Complete engagement in the present moment is the way.
- Recognition that whatever is, is! Turning into the presence of suffering, neutrality, joy, and happiness.
- Practice holding appreciation for your personal life, regardless of the level and intensity of suffering you may experience.
- Lastly, but most important, participate fully in regular, daily practice of mindfulness, compassion, and meditation.
For more information refer to Dalai Lama (2012). From Here to Enlightenment... BostonL Snow Lion, pp. 39-48.
By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC
From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont
Author of Mindful Happiness
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