Peace Is Every Breath by Thich Nhat Hanh

Author:Thich Nhat Hanh
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins US

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shopping for happiness

Mindfulness is the most precious asset we can have; it makes love, happiness, and so many other gifts to ourselves and to others possible. But it’s not for sale in any shop, no matter how much money we’re prepared to pay for it. We have to produce it ourselves.

We can’t just go to the store to buy some mindfulness and bring it home with us; but we can and do want to take our mindfulness with us when we go shopping. We already know we want to consume only things that bring joy and health to ourselves and our society, and we need the energy of mindfulness to keep us on track as we pass by one enticing display after another. Mindfulness helps us to recognize—more and more clearly the longer we practice—which things we really need and want in our life, and which things we can do very well without. We’re able to spend far less money on “stuff” without sacrificing any of our happiness. In fact, we have more happiness, because we can take a less stressful, more enjoyable job when we’re not under the financial pressure of constantly having to buy newer, bigger, and fancier houses, cars, and other things.

So: you need to buy some things, and you don’t have lots of time to do it. How can you stay present and not be seduced by clever advertising? How can you choose products that don’t compromise your own health and don’t promote exploitation of human workers, of animals, of our planet?

Whether you’re shopping in a store or online, try not to do it when you’re hungry, tired, or distracted. Make a list in advance of the things you need. The short time it takes to do this will be more than compensated for by the time you’ll save by not having to debate whether to buy additional things you don’t need and maybe don’t even really want. Before you check out, take a moment to look back over the things in your basket and ask yourself honestly: “Do I really need this? Will buying this bring me more happiness than giving that money to help relieve the suffering of another living being?”

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