I’ve told Nasruddin stories in the past. For those you not familiar with him, he was a Sufi visionary who it is believed lived during the 13th century in the Middle East. Some claim he was a real historical person, but the problem is not only do many countries (Iran, Turkey & Afghanistan) claim them as their own, but there are no records of his birth or death.

Whether he was real or not, he has left an indelible mark on the Middle East.

Nasrudden is a combination of a wise man and a fool. His stories are told and retold endlessly in the teahouses and homes and today even on the radio. Nasruddin stories can be understood at any of many levels. They are always funny - a kind of joke but there always a lesson or moral to the story.

In this story some people have came upon Nasruddin one night crawling around on his hands and knees under a lamppost.

“What are you looking for?” they asked him.

”I’ve lost the key to my house,” he replied.

They all got down to help him look, but after a fruitless time of searching, someone thought to ask him where he had lost the key in the first place.

“In the house,” Nasruddin answered.

“Then why are you looking under the lamppost?” he is asked.

“Because there is more light here,” Nasruddin replied.

It is a funny story but aren’t we a lot like Nasruddin when it comes to looking for happiness? Don’t we look for happiness in the wrong places - in the least likely place?

But then the larger question becomes, how does one go about finding happiness. And what is real and lasting happiness?

Most of us believe that happiness lies somewhere outside of ourselves. If we are unhappy with our relationship or marriage, we look for a new one. Or if our job is not going well, we look for another. We are happy with our car until the new model comes out.

We chase after happiness like a dog chases after its tail. Round and round seeking one thing after another in our search to be happy. We falsely believe that lasting happiness can only be found either in material possessions or in a series of (often failed) relationships. As a result happiness becomes equated with self-cherishing activities.

One of the reasons for our not finding lasting happiness is that everything in this phenomenal world is impermanent - nothing lasts.

The 12th century Indian saint Shantideva, said, “All those who suffer in the world do so because of a desire for their own happiness. All those happy in the world are so because of their desire for the happiness of others.”

From the Buddhist perspective real and lasting happiness comes only by dropping our self-cherishing attitudes and replacing them by putting other’s needs ahead of our own. H.H. the Dalai Lama expressed it best when he said, ”…genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others’ happiness.”

We may believe this and many of us may in fact be in service related jobs. Therefore, in theory, we should be happy by being of service to others. but we still may be unhappy. How often do we feel annoyed when serving the public? You lose your patience when you have to explain something that you think they should know.

So, happiness is more than just helping others. We must have the proper attitude. We need an attitude of spaciousness and generosity. Or as His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, we need the qualities of “spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness”

Otherwise we will be bitter and resentful. We can see this all around us in others every day, but it is often more difficult to see it in ourselves.

For example: There may be a very skilled neurosurgeon who helps save lives - a very noble thing, but yet he may not have the spirit of generosity in his heart. He might be impatient, bitter, and resentful. This type of attitude can affect everyone around the person - literally changing this person’s world. Likewise being kind, compassionate, patient, having a spirit of generosity can also change the world - literally.

I remember years ago a crossing guard at the corner of 32nd and Southwest Trafficway. He was at this corner for years and you could tell he really loved his work. Now all of you know how busy Southwest Trafficway is – but yet he would point - then wave and smile at as many cars as possible as they went by. I don’t care how bad a mood I might be in – when I saw him I had to smile and wave back.

When you share this kind of generous spirit it is like a pebble being thrown in a pool. The ripples it makes eventually touch every edge of the pond. Likewise sharing a generous spirit like this touches many people’s lives in a positive way. You literally can change your world by a change in your attitude.

So how do we change our attitude? It is through meditation and this is why the meditation practice is so important. It is through the meditation practice that we develop and cultivate these positive mental states. When we train our mind in this way our attitude and outlook change.

The key to happiness is in our own hands. So part of the key to happiness is in helping others - but you must do it with the right attitude with patience, compassion, kindness – and a generous spirit.

So ultimately your happiness is up to you. It is not somewhere “out there” but it is on your shoulders. So I encourage you to develop a daily practice. Work to transform your mind into positive qualities and then be of service to others - with a kind, patient and spacious attitude like the crossing guard.

I feel what I am trying to say is so better expressed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. You have probably seen this quote before. It is on cards and T-shirts in our gift shops - but to me it says it all. I have printed copies of this of you who would like one. Our Preceptors will be handing them out as you leave this morning. I recommend you put this up someplace in your home where you will see it every day - like you bathroom mirror.

The True Meaning Of Life

“We are visitors on this planet.

We are here for ninety or one hundred years

at the very most.

During that period,

we must try to do something

good, something useful,

with our lives,

if you contribute to other

people’s happiness,

you will

find the true goal,

the true meaning of life.”

H.H. The XIV Dalai Lama