In the modern world, people generally agree that they want to be happy, but opinions vary widely about what creates the causes and conditions for happiness to arise and what the experience of happiness actually is. Attempting to attain happiness can often lead to unhappiness due to the effect of grasping. Depending on our individual histories, we may chase entertainment, distraction, excitement, and various sensations, believing they will bring us happiness.

Abandoning the pursuit of pleasure and entertainment is the basis of renunciation. Letting go of all of one’s concepts and habitual ways of pursuing “happiness” can significantly liberate us from unwholesome patterns, paving the way for deeper contentment to emerge.

The Buddhist term sukha describes a state of ease or contentment, which is an authentic state of happiness that is not dependent on external circumstances. Practicing equanimity ultimately entails developing an impartial attitude toward all phenomena. This does not imply pretending to treat things equally, as we can recognize that due to our own histories of causes and conditions, we each possess different preferences. While some believe that Buddhism advocates for austerity, in truth, the Buddha taught a path leading to great joy and bliss.

By practicing equanimity, we discover a sense of ease and contentment that is independent of our circumstances, allowing us to find more opportunities to enjoy experiences and appreciate the beauty in all things.

Reflect on moments when you have felt genuinely content and consider what characteristics these moments share.

• How do you define happiness?
• How do your relatives, friends, or celebrities perceive happiness?
• Who in your life seems genuinely content?
• How might letting go of the pursuit of happiness lead to greater contentment?

Analyze different definitions of happiness; evaluate how equanimity transforms our relationship to pleasant and unpleasant experiences; and experiment with showing “no preference” toward perceived beauty and ugliness.