The modern world is indeed confusing. To begin a process of healing, we must first understand what we are looking for. Happiness is the natural first choice, but what exactly is it? Can it be defined?
The answer is simpler than you might imagine. Like anything in Chán 禪 practice, it should be considered through the lens of both Yin and Yang.
The external life (Yang) must be managed to prevent extremes—not too high, not too low. We obviously do not want to live in a war zone, but we probably shouldn’t live in a party town, either. You get the picture. There are big things and small, all part of external life management. In Chinese culture, there is a constant, deliberate leveling of highs and lows to make life smoother and more tolerable. Thus, external happiness is found in the absence of massive emotional swings.
Regarding the inner life (Yin) of the mind, we can do a great deal. The process requires us to return to our “Original Mind” 本心 – clear and unbiased, much like when a baby is born. This can be achieved through a simple, consistent meditation practice.
Is it possible, you ask? Is a buffalo stressed or angry? No. Is an antelope stressed or angry? No. These are burdens we load up on over the years we are alive. It happens simply because we evolve to deal with what we must. However, with simple Mind Maintenance, we can counter that conditioning. Modern brain scans show that meditation literally begins to rewire the brain in as little as a few days. With weeks and months of practice, considerable life change can take place.
Life will not stop being, well, life. But it will no longer disturb you as it did before your practice. You will experience constant happiness.