The Reason Shadows Linger Even When You Try to Be Cheerful | Teachings of Buddhism

The Reason Shadows Linger Even When You Try to Be Cheerful | Teachings of Buddhism

"Why do shadows linger in our hearts, no matter how cheerful we try to be?"
Today, we will explore this question through the teachings of Buddhism.

Introduction

In our daily lives, we often strive to meet the expectations of others and the pressures we place on ourselves by acting cheerful.
However, deep inside, we may feel a lingering discomfort or shadow.
Why does this happen?

Buddhism seeks to understand this issue through the lens of "the state of our hearts" and "acceptance of reality."
Let us delve into this profound truth through the story of Satya.

The Story of Satya

In a small village, there lived a young man named Satya.
Known for his cheerful demeanor, Satya was considered by everyone to be a joyful person.
From a young age, his mother had taught him to "always keep your heart bright, no matter what happens."

Faithfully following his mother's teachings, Satya ignored anything unpleasant and focused only on the positive aspects of life.

Despite his efforts, he faced increasing discord at home, conflicts with friends, and unexpected challenges.
Each time, Satya blamed himself, thinking, "It’s because my heart isn’t bright enough," and continued to avoid unpleasant realities.

The Power of Avoidance

Satya became adept at justifying his way out of unpleasant situations, building a skill to escape them in his mind.

One day, a friend said to him:
“Satya, you’re too fixated on your beliefs. That’s causing your problems.”

Although Satya felt a sting of truth in these words, he denied them, brushing them off with a laugh and trying to forget.

Meeting the Buddha

One day, the village received news that the Buddha was staying in a nearby forest.
Satya, curious, decided to hear his teachings.

The Buddha spoke to the gathered crowd, saying:
“Light and darkness are creations of the heart.
A clouded heart will see clouds even under the clearest skies.
But a pure heart can find light even in the darkest night.”

Hearing these words, Satya felt a pang in his chest.
Could it be that his own heart was creating the darkness he felt?

But just as quickly, he dismissed the thought, reassuring himself, “That can’t be true.”

Inner Turmoil

From that day, Satya’s heart grew restless.
He began to question himself:
“Am I living the right way? Should I change?”
Thus began his journey of introspection.

Returning to the Buddha

Seeking answers, Satya returned to the Buddha.
He asked:
“I have always tried to keep my heart bright, just as my mother taught me.
But I am starting to worry that my efforts are in vain. What should I do?”

The Buddha replied calmly:
“Satya, you have indeed worked hard.
But have you ever questioned whether your efforts are directed correctly?”

“Misguided efforts will never bear fruit.”

These words shook Satya, as if his long-held beliefs were being denied.

A New Perspective

A few days later, Satya sat by the riverbank, watching the sunset.
In that moment, he had a realization:
“The light is right in front of me, but am I blocking it with my own hands?”

He recalled how he had only believed in what suited him and avoided everything else,
realizing that this had clouded his heart even further.

Understanding His Mother’s True Teachings

Satya later met an elderly woman drawing water from a well in the heat of the sun.
When he asked her why she continued such a hard task, she smiled and said:
“I enjoy this work because it’s my own effort.
Even though it’s tough, that effort makes the water feel precious to me.”

Her words made Satya reflect on his mother’s teachings.
“To keep your heart bright” didn’t mean to only believe in the good.
It meant accepting all things as they are and finding brightness within.”

The Buddha’s Teachings

Satya returned to the Buddha to share his realization.
The Buddha smiled and said:
“True brightness comes from accepting everything as it is.
Believing only in the good and denying the bad is not keeping your heart bright; it is merely a facade.
True brightness shines even in the darkness, and to achieve this, one must have the courage to embrace everything.”

Conclusion

Satya came to understand that his mother’s teachings and the Buddha’s words were one and the same.
From that day on, he faced difficulties without running away and found peace in accepting them.

May this story bring a small light to your heart.
Thank you for watching.

"Have the courage to embrace everything as it is."
"This is the first step toward peace of mind."