Buddhism offers us the tools to improve our psychological well-being. Although it was developed back in the fifth century BC, neuroscientists and psychologists are only just beginning to study its capacity to modify our brain and behaviour.
Siddhartha was the founder of the Buddhist religion, who chose to turn his back on his father’s wealth and left his family, in order to become one of the thousands of ascetics, who like him, had rejected material possessions to seek spiritual happiness and fulfilment. At the age of 29, he led the kind of life expected of any young man from a good family: his wife had recently given birth to a beautiful child, he ran the family estate with his father, and had no real worries to speak of. One day, however, while riding along the road in his carriage, he came across a crippled old man, then another sick man, and finally, a dead body. At that moment, Siddhartha realised that even the most beautiful and wonderful things in this life come to an end: nothing lasts forever, and everything that we love might change, decay, or die. This conviction drove him to reject everything he knew, in order to start a new life, and try to discover the real meaning of existence.
Although 2,500 years have passed since then, it is still easy to relate to Siddhartha’s dilemma. In today’s world, many people have plenty of food, and are able to enjoy pleasant distractions from their thoughts. What’s more, many of us also have access to medicines and tools, which make us believe that we are able to cheat old age and most illnesses. Yet, humankind is still afflicted by constant, and often underestimated, suffering.
The research speaks for itself: along with physical health, employment, and financial security, mental health is one of the most important factors in the happiness of people living in developed countries. The World Health Organisation, however, reports that around 450 million people are currently affected by mental disorders.
