○Understanding No-mind

    Everyone desires happiness rather than suffering. Often, individuals believe that obtaining something will fulfill that desire. For instance, people may think, "If I earn a lot of money, I can buy everything I want and be happy" or "If I become famous or achieve success, I will find happiness" or "If I can be in a relationship with that person, I will be happy."

    However, consider the scenario of being in a relationship with someone you are interested in. Initially, one might feel joyous, but over time, those emotions may fade, conflicts might arise, and the relationship may become burdensome, ultimately leading to a breakup. Prior to entering the relationship, one may have experienced a desire to possess the other person, which transformed into joy and happiness once the relationship began. However, during the breakup, suffering arises, following a cycle of happiness and suffering.

    The important point here is that regardless of external circumstances, any sense of fulfillment or satisfaction arises from one's internal desires for ownership and self-gratification. However, the joy and happiness derived from these desires are short-lived, leading to further cravings and eventually transforming into suffering. As long as one remains trapped in this cycle, happiness and suffering continue to perpetuate endlessly. Happiness and suffering are two sides of the same coin. However, as human beings, we all aspire to be happy rather than suffer. So where does the answer lie? The answer lies in the space between the extremes of happiness and suffering, which is called "no-mind." In no-mind, there is tranquility, peace, serenity, stillness, and harmony. To understand no-mind, let's try the following simple exercise.