Meditation
This is MY secret to a happy way of life. I practise Vipassana as taught by late Shri S.N.Goenka in a long tradition of teachers coming from Myanmar, erstwhile Burma. The technique here is really pragmatic: focussing on one's own respiration to calm down the mind, leading to a stage where observation of different bodily sensations becomes a second nature of sorts. Of course, the key to success, like in any other descipline, is perseverance. Over the years, I have experinced profound transformation (through dedicated practise) that has proved immensely helpful in every walk of life. I can definitely recommend such silent retreats to someone sincere enough and on the path of self discovery. However, I would also note that it is not suitable for everybody; even mental dispostion of a seeker needs to be in the right frame, i.e. that of acceptance! What is more helpful in these retreats is it's non-secterian, non-dogmatic format. Of course, the teaching comes from the Theravada tradition, where Buddha's actual words have been preserved!
