Q. Italian: In these days, there are quite many unsatisfactory situations happening around the world. Our mind is quite restless concerning all of those things. How can we maintain ourselves happy without feeing disturbed by all of those phenomena?
A. Ashin Kelasa: Well, it is a good question not only to you but also to me and any other one else who loves the same value of humanity and a particular society in which we live. If I have to say very openly, the result of American election makes most of the people around the world feel dissatisfied and disappointed. However, it happened; we can do nothing. In opinion, we need to prepare to stand such cases that can make us restless and disappointed. These things are coming soon to all of us.
I want to advise you the way how live now. I’m living in the same world. I hear, see, taste, smell and touch and think as you do. However, I do not take any emotions or feelings or thoughts caused by such phenomena longer than necessary. I let go of them as soon as possible. Otherwise, I can go crazy by those kinds of stupid thoughts and emotions that won’t help me and the society in which I’m living.
Of course, it is not an easy thing to do but try the best you can if you do not want to be wasting your time for those stupid things. I usually advise people to pay regular attention to in-breath and out-breath just before you get up while you are lying down in bed. If you do it everyday, you will see how you have to handle your life existing in between negative and positive phenomena around you. You will see how to maintain yourself happy by doing so. This is the way how I live now. If you are able to do it, please, take a meditation retreat for at least 7 days. Of course, I do much more than that. It helps. Try the best you can. I hope you will enjoy it.
