May the insights for life described on this website lead to deep, personal transformation. For this to occur, time needs to be taken for reflection and contemplation.
The Causes of Happiness or Well-Being
At its heart, the theme of this website, life insights for everyone, deals with principles of living. These insights or principles of living, when lived and practiced will promote a happier life — a life of greater well-being.
In essence, then, the insights and principles of living shared on this website are causes of happiness. Their opposites become the causes of suffering.
The law of causality is the foundation of the Buddha’s teaching, and is also a part of other spiritual traditions.
In Buddhism, for example, the Noble Eightfold Path gives eight foundational causes for happiness. These are:
Right understanding (or right view)
Right thought (or right intention)
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness (or right attention)
Right concentration
In the Christian tradition, for example, the following attitudes are causes for happiness:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Source: Matthew 5:3-10 New International Version)
Whenever an action is taken, regardless of what it is, one can expect that sooner or later it will produce an effect.
And so, if one wishes to experience happiness and well-being, it makes sense to perform certain acts and to avoid others.
Finally, the life insights for everyone on this website are shared with the intent that they are causes of happiness and well-being.
Hear and Study, then Contemplate
One of my teachers said, “First hear and study, then you think about it and you become it.”
And that’s the point; we go from head to heart and that transforms us. Then spontaneously what we say, what we think and what we do naturally arises from our understanding. (Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo)
A Gentle Buddhist Touch
Visitors to this site will notice a gentle Buddhist touch, inevitably stemming from Alexander Peck’s Buddhist studies.
While seeking to remain true to the theme of the website — life insights for everyone — the Buddhist influence should not detract from this overall theme which is universal in nature.
Blog Site: Insight From Life
In late 2014 and early 2015, Alexander Peck created a blog site entitled Insight From Life. This blog site is still active and may be found at: https://insightfromlife.wordpress.com/ The Insight From Life blog site is presented from a Buddhist perspective.
Also, for those interested, between 2014 and 2015, Alexander Peck created another blog site as follows: https://buddhistspiritualityblog.wordpress.com/
Note: All photos on this website were taken by Alexander Peck (unless otherwise credited) and may be freely downloaded.
There are three wisdoms: that created by study, that created by thinking or research, and that developed through meditation.
(Tulku Thondup. Enlightened Journey: Buddhist Practice as Daily Life.)
