Poem-Secrets to a Life of Balance, Calmness and Happiness-Response to Brenda’s Word Prompt Week 31-Secrets

I love poetry. I am a lifestyle enthusiast and like to write articles and poems on lifestyle changes that benefit people.

Brenda's Weekly Word Prompt-Week 31-'Secrets'

This week our dear friend and a gifted poet, Brenda gave us the word prompt ‘Secrets’. It brought to my mind the quote by the Dalai Lama “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” We keep seeking happiness always in objects, wealth, in relationships. But the more we chase it in the outer world, the more elusive it gets. So what are the secrets to a life of purpose, fulfilment and happiness. I found it in Zen philosophy, when I attended a Zen meditation class with my friend.

When we start to feel anxious or depressed, instead of asking, “What do I need to get to be happy?” The question becomes, “What am I doing to disturb the inner peace that I already have?

— D.T. Suzuki

Secrets to a life of balance, Calmness and Happiness

When I attended a Zen Meditation class with my friend, I was impressed by the beauty and simplicity of Zen philosophy. I learnt many things from my friend who is an ardent follower. She said that Zen meditation has helped her in many wonderful ways. She said that it helped her overcome hardships, and find happiness without having to make any major changes in her daily life. All she did was transform her thoughts which affected her actions. This helped not only in her spiritual growth but also personal and career growth.

The true purpose is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.

— Shunryu Suzuki

Zen Masters Secrets to a Life of Happiness

We are always trying to search for the true purpose of our life. Zen masters say that the secret to fulfillment and happiness is to consider life as a gift, live in the moment and experience every moment of life. They say that it is within ourselves to awaken the true purpose of life. Also, that by leading a simpler life, decluttering, we can be more productive. They advise calm breathing and mindful meditation for addressing the stress of modern living. According to them, to accept ourselves the way we are, to live in the present moment, having no regrets of the past and not worrying about the future are the true secrets to happiness.

We all know that the constant distractions we face daily because of our social connections and work-related issues make it difficult for us to find calmness and peace. As a result, we are in constant stress which affects our physical and mental health and also our productivity. Only when there is a balance in all areas of life like physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual, can we realize our full potential and find true meaning and happiness in life. My first poem is an acrostic poem about searching for the true meaning of life. By experiencing every moment and leading a life of simplicity and integrity, by contemplating we realize that it is within ourselves to attain calmness, balance and fulfillment. This realization that the secrets of happiness lie within ourselves leads to a state of true happiness and meaning in life.

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

— Bruce Lee

Secrets to a Life of Purpose and True Happiness-An Acrostic Poem

Searching for true meaning in life

Experiencing every moment and seeking

Calmness, balance and fulfillment

Richer life of simplicity and true inner peace

Euphoric in the realization that your

Truthfulness and inner strength are the

Secrets to a life of purpose and true happiness.

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

— Lao Tzu

Poem-The Secrets to a Life of Happiness

The secrets to a life of happiness are

That you have to live in the present

And you have to be in the moment

whatever has happened in the past

has no power over this present moment.

That you don't live for yourself alone

You must also think of others you know

Because life is a reciprocal exchange

To move forward you have to change.

To accept yourself as you are

And bloom like a beautiful flower

To not suffer in fear and isolation

Craving acceptance and appreciation.

Set your own goals and your values

With a feeling of pride in achievement

Self-esteem and a sense of fulfilment

Choose a balance and achieve happiness.

Life manifests miracles all around you

A ray of sunshine, a drop of dew

A leaf, a flower, a caterpillar bring joy

Colors, shapes and forms to enjoy.

You are an intrinsic part of the universe

In the realm of intelligence beyond thought

Beauty, love, creativity, joy and inner peace

Are within you and arise from your mind.

To recognize your own absurdity is

The beginning of healing and independence

Anything you accept will free you of dependence

Will take you into peace, this is the miracle of transcendence

Become conscious and start living now

Take the step into the inner journey

Creativity stems from inner stillness

Gratitude is the foundation for abundance.

All problems are illusions of the mind

Everything is Transient, attachment is loss

You cannot have anything for ever

Make the most of what you have now.

To recognize your own absurdity is

The beginning of healing and independence

Anything you accept will free you of dependence

Will take you into peace, this is the miracle of transcendence

• Zen | History, Doctrines, Practices, & Facts | Britannica
  Zen, important school of East Asian Buddhism that constitutes the mainstream monastic form of Mahayana Buddhism in China, Korea, and Vietnam and accounts for approximately 20 percent of the Buddhist temples in Japan. The word derives from the Sanskri
• Zen - Wikipedia
  

© 2021 VIDYA D SAGAR