Coping with a Troubled World

Programme Notes

In Chapter 10 of The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World, the Dalai Lama reflects on the nature of suffering and its origins:

“Much of our suffering in life is caused not by external causes but by internal events such as the arising of disturbing emotions. And the best antidote to this inner disruption is enhancing our ability to handle these emotions, and learning how to cope with our environment, the negative situations, and so on.”

This insight resonates deeply with me, as I have often found myself falling into the trap of allowing external pressures to dominate my peace of mind, pulling me into a state of further distress. Life, as we know, is full of challenges. In recent years, the pandemic, the mounting crises of climate change, and the growing uncertainty surrounding human rights and democracy have created a world fraught with tension. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and we often attribute our suffering to these external circumstances.

But what the Dalai Lama teaches us here is a profound truth: while external events may trigger emotional upheaval, it is within ourselves that suffering truly originates. If we look inward, we see that it is our reactions, our thoughts, and our attachment to negative emotions that give rise to pain. By cultivating the inner strength to master these emotions, we can transform how we experience the world around us. In essence, when we find peace within, the storms outside lose their power to disturb our inner calm.

– Frank Horvat