New Year’s Resolution from a Buddhist’s Perspective
New Year’s celebration is not just about food, parties and get-togethers. It is also the time when we attempt to create a fresh new start in our lives – the time when we try to get rid of the bad habits and obtain new goals. Unfortunately, out of the millions of people who make resolutions at the start of the year, only a few succeed to achieve them.
If you really want to become successful in achieving or maintaining your New Year’s resolutions, it can be helpful to incorporate some of the popular teachings of Buddha.
It all starts with the ‘right’ intentions
“If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.” – Jack Dixon
Without intentions, you wouldn’t be able to do anything. According to Buddha’s teachings, if you want to create lasting changes in your life, you should first know your reason for doing so. By practising mindfulness meditation, you free your mind from the clutter that makes determining your intentions hard.
In a quiet place, let your mind wander and contemplate about the changes you want to make in your life. Instead of thinking about what changes you would like to apply this year, you may want to take the opportunity to be mindful and understand what underlies your desire to change. Examine your intentions, how they arise, what they feel like, and how they drive your actions.
Other than the traditional New Year’s resolutions such as quitting smoking, dieting, exercising, and saving more money, try to incorporate the following Buddha’s resolutions this 2013 and be ready to experience a more fulfilling life:
Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is an ancient and eternal law.
Hatred is never ceased by hatred, but by love alone is healed. Doing this can be difficult at first but once you learn how to overcome anger with love, you will find it easy to forgive people who have wronged you and live a peaceful, happy life.
I will watch my thoughts and their ways with care.
Buddha encourages us to be mindful not just in our actions but also in our thoughts as these thoughts could have consequences. While it is true that you cannot control the thoughts that come to your mind, it is possible to eliminate them and stop them from affecting your actions.
I will think before I speak.
Before saying anything to someone, make sure that what will come from your mouth is true, kind and helpful. Peace arises from positive communication. When all you say is true, kind and helpful, new relationships will blossom and the old ones will be retained.
I will develop and cultivate my mind.
This means you have to develop positive thinking. Even if you can’t alleviate your physical suffering, you have every weapon to shield yourself from mental suffering. Just as neuroscientists describe the human brain as elastic, Buddha describes it as "soft and plaint." The mind can train itself to control negative emotions so they don’t affect your judgement and behaviour.
I will focus on what I have or have not done.
Instead of looking at the flaws of other people or blaming them for the wrong things that happened in your life, consider looking at what you have done or have not done and there you will find the solution to your difficulties.
As a solid rock, you should not be moved by praise or blame.
Buddha said there will always be praise and blame in this world. But if you hold on to what you believe in, these things won’t affect you.
What do you think are the reasons why many people fail to materialise their New Year’s resolutions? Do you think the Buddhist approach can make changing and setting goals achievable? Share your comment below.