Practical Insight Meditation
Venerable Mahasi Sayadawhappiness. In this world of ours, human beings make all
possible efforts to prevent and alleviate suffering and to enjoy
happiness. Nevertheless, their efforts are mainly directed to
obtaining their physical well-being by material means.
Happiness, however, is conditioned by attitudes of mind, and
yet only a few persons give real thought to mental development, while fewer still practice mind-training in earnest.
To illustrate this point, attention may be drawn to the
commonplace habits of cleaning and tidying up one’s body,
the endless pursuits of food, clothing and shelter, and the
tremendous technological progress achieved to raise the
material standard of living, to improve the means of
transportation and communication, and to prevent and cure
diseases and ailments. All these strivings are, in the main,
concerned with the care and nourishment of the body, and
it must be recognized that they are essential. However,
these human efforts and achievements cannot possibly
alleviate or eradicate the suffering associated with old age
and death, domestic infelicity and economic troubles, in
short, with non-satisfaction of wants and desires. Suffering
of this nature cannot be overcome by material means; it
can be overcome only by mind-training and mental
development.