#484. Do You Want to Be Happier or Not? | Mushim Patricia Ikeda

Oftentimes Buddhism can take a tough love, no nonsense approach to happiness by saying, if you want to be happier, sometimes you need to face hard truths.

In today's episode we’re going to talk about a Buddhist list called The Three Characteristics. These are the three non-negotiable truths about reality, which you have to see and understand in order to be happy. Granted, when looked at from a certain angle, these truths, or characteristics of reality can suck at times. But do you want to see the truth of things or not? Do you want to be happier or not?

Our guide through these three characteristics is the mighty Mushim Patricia Ikeda. Mushim has a background in both monastic and lay Buddhist practice and is a core teacher and community director at the East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, California. This is her second appearance on the show.

Content Warning: This episode briefly mentions child loss.

In this episode we talk about:

• The three characteristics, alternatively known as the three Dharma seals
• Our conflicted relationship to change
• Our brain’s tendency to focus on the negative
• Practices that can help with handling change more effectively
• How not taking your thoughts so personally can build your resilience
• And why Mushim believes that universal non-discriminating love is synonymous with Nirvana

Where to find Mushim Patricia Ikeda online:

Website: www.mushimikeda.com

Social Media:

• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Thich Nhat Hanh
• More on the bodhisattva vows and precepts
• Robert A.F. Thurman
• East Bay Meditation Center

Additional Resources:

Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install