Both happiness and unhappiness, or pleasure and sadness, arise from the same parent wanting. So when you’re happy the mind isn’t peaceful. It really isn’t! For instance, when we get the things we like, such as wealth, prestige, praise or happiness, we become pleased as a result. But the mind still harbors some uneasiness because we’re afraid of losing it. That very fear isn’t a peaceful state. Later on we may actually lose that thing and then we really suffer. Thus, if you aren’t aware, even if you’re happy, suffering is imminent. It’s just the same as grabbing the snake’s tail if you don’t let go it will bite. So whether it’s the snake’s tail or its head, that is, wholesome or unwholesome conditions, they’re all just characteristics of the `Wheel of Existence’, of endless change.

The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah: The Middle Way Within, pages 2-3

#buddha #buddhism #dhamma #happiness #hanhphuc #chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas #dhammacetiya #tâmlinh #spiritual #temple#sbsstupas