Who am I to be happy amidst so much suffering?

A Note on Liberation and the World

For a long time, I carried the erroneous thought that I shouldn’t be happy while there was so much craziness in the world. I heard this echoed in some Buddhist circles too—that the Bodhisattva, out of compassion, vows to be the last to be liberated. I’ve heard people say, “How can I be happy with all the suffering around me?”

What I’ve come to understand is this: your liberation is the best thing you can do for the world.

We aren’t trying to achieve anything except to remember who we truly are—that joy, love, and inner peace are our factory settings. From that recognition, genuine service flows naturally. Helping the world isn’t separate from awakening; it’s a vital part of the path.

That’s why giving has become such an essential part of my practice—something that, for years, was missing. When I empty out my bunker and let go of the stories that the world and people need to be a certain way for me to be okay, I return to presence. And when I am more presence than person, I become useful.

The world doesn’t need my worry; it needs my wholeness. It needs me in my factory settings, living from the 8 Cs and 5 Ps:

• Curiosity, Creativity, Clarity, Courage, Confidence, Calm, Compassion, and Connectedness.

• Playfulness, Presence, Patience, Perspective, and Persistence.

From that place, helping becomes effortless. It’s like when I started going to parties as an empty nester. Surrounded by parents chasing toddlers, I would arrive fresh—well-rested, relaxed, not needing anything. Naturally, I’d start tidying the kitchen, passing out snacks, offering, “How can I help?” That lightness, that joy in giving, is what comes when our inner world is clear.

I’ve noticed that as I let go and empty out my bunker, generosity arises on its own. I’ve found myself giving to charities, political parties, and NGOs freely, and volunteering for Lasagna Love has become a source of delight. I love bringing others into that same joy of helping out.

When I’m stuck in anger or pride, helping others doesn’t even cross my mind. But when I rise up the Chart of Emotions, I see that each step toward peace and love benefits not only me but everyone around me.

So rise—for your benefit, and for the benefit of the world.