Peace of Mind About Oneself

The birthday party took place in a luxurious apartment in the heart of Moscow, warm golden light reflecting off glasses of glowing red wine. Laughter filled the room, but one man sat in a corner, his eyes lost in thought. He was a Russian intelligence colonel, a close friend of the party's host, a well-known journalist. The journalist had just been showing off his new apartment, his expensive car, and his beautiful young wife who was laughing and chatting with the guests.

The colonel looked at his friend and suddenly remembered the years of hardship. He had spent his youth in the Middle East, living amid dust and danger, then returned home empty-handed. He still lived in an old apartment, drove an old car, and owned nothing of value. Yet he had never once regretted his choices.

As the party wound down, the journalist friend, slightly drunk, began criticizing the government. He said loudly, "Look at you. You're a colonel, and what do you have? No house, no car, no money. And me? I have everything! What do you live like this for?"

The colonel looked calmly at his friend, his eyes unwavering. He replied in a deep, warm but resolute voice: "I have peace of mind about myself."

The journalist friend froze, not understanding. But for the colonel, those few words were everything. He had lived according to his conscience, had served his country, and had done nothing wrong. That gave him absolute peace in his heart, something no possession could ever buy.

This story gives us much to reflect upon. In life, everyone has dreams and aspirations. Some seek success through honest paths, others through schemes and tricks. But no matter which path they take, they all hope to gain something for themselves. They want wealth, glory, and happiness.

Yet there is a rare kind of person who lives virtuously, sacrifices, and serves without asking for anything in return. They do good simply because it is right, without needing a reward. When asked, "What do you gain from living like this?" they only smile and answer: "I have peace of mind about myself."

Peace of mind because one has lived rightly and made no mistakes. Peace of mind because one has fulfilled one's responsibilities and has nothing to regret. Peace of mind because the heart is serene, without a trace of anxiety. That is true happiness, transcending all the worldly glory and riches.

But how many of us truly understand this? We often chase after illusions, after things that glitter on the surface, forgetting that real happiness lies in inner peace. A person may own the whole world, but if the heart is not at ease, it is all meaningless. Conversely, a person who lives simply, yet whose heart is always joyful, is truly the richest of all.

Let us look at ourselves. How many desires do you hold for yourself? Are you living for some noble purpose? Or are you merely chasing petty cravings? A person's nobility is inversely proportional to their personal desires. The fewer desires we have, the closer we come to the saints.

When we learn to live virtuously, to sacrifice and serve without expecting repayment, we receive the most precious gift of all: peace of mind about ourselves. And only those with noble hearts can understand the incomparable value of that gift.

The Meaning of the Story

True happiness lies not in material things, fame, or power, but in the peace of the heart. When we live according to our conscience, fulfill our responsibilities, and remain indifferent to personal gain, we attain the state of "peace of mind about oneself," a magnificent happiness that only the saints can fully understand. It is the ultimate destination of all self-cultivation and self-refinement.

Compiled from a dharma talk by TT. Thích Chân Quang