Happiness and Suffering
I first heard these from Shinzen Young, a Buddhist meditation teacher. Shinzen tends to be very precise in his language and these equations are worth pondering about since they condense a lot of information.
For a lot of people, the noble truths make more sense in the light of these two statements.
Suffering = Pain x Resistance
Frustration = Pleasure x Grasping
In other words, pain does not necessarily imply suffering. It is the resistance that gives rise to suffering. Similarly, pleasure causes frustration when one tries to grasp it.
On the other side of things, we have the keys to satisfaction and empowerment.
Empowerment = Pain x Equanimity
Satisfaction = Pleasure x Equanimity
If we stay equanimous through painful experiences, we are empowered. Staying equanimous through pleasurable experiences results in a feeling of satisfaction.
Conclusion: Resistance or grasping is to be avoided, equanimity to be cultivated.
While we are at it, I would like to add two more:
Happiness = Time x Discipline
Space = Happiness
I will elaborate on both these in a future post. These may not be immediately obvious, especially the second one. Stay tuned…
You can access Shinzen’s full article in PDF format here. He calls these statements the Fundamental Theorem of Human Happiness.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I like the equations, I have personally never seen the noble truths expressed that way.
It makes me think: If suffering=pain x resistance, what does evil x resistance equal?
Also, if frustration is pleasure x grasping, what does truth x grasping equal?
(And, while I’m at it, what is the sound of one hand clapping?)
Peace!
Geoffrey
December 28th, 2007 at 5:02 am
This is a new approach to expressing Dharma, and I like it. It makes it simple and meaningful. Apart from reading about buddhism I am also quite interested in psycho-therapy, and this sort of approach seems to be right on the interface between the two.
And I must say, I feel an urge to comment on Geoffrey´s points:
putting “evil” into a Dharmic equation is a recipe for mathematical pages of confusing symbols, and a confusing mind. Before getting into mathematical formulas of good and evil, its best to pay attention to the basics, are we happy, are we suffering?.
And about grasping the truth, we can always try.
And love,
Miguel
February 18th, 2008 at 11:53 am
There is a quote by Corita Kent. Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:15 am
nice equations. always wondered if according to buddhist views how do i accept joys and still be happy. now i feel i can enjoy joys and be happy by remembering these equations…thank you and may god bless you. keep posting.