Book SummaryModern Buddhism, by Devean Chase

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Modern Buddhism

Contemporary People’s Futile Search for Happiness

Chase begins this book by highlighting a common human experience: seeking happiness. He acknowledges that this pursuit is often driven by an underlying belief in our own inadequacy, a sense that we lack something internally. This part delves into the ways people seek fulfillment in external sources, ultimately demonstrating the inherent flaw in this approach.

Feeling Happy Is Temporary and Externally Dependent

Chase argues that many of us chase happiness through fleeting pleasures and achievements, mistaking these temporary highs for lasting fulfillment. This pursuit, he suggests, is rooted in a belief that joy is found outside ourselves, leading to a perpetual cycle of seeking and disappointment.

Individuals Pursue Joy in Fleeting Pleasures and Achievements, Highlighting the Contrast With the Dullness, Discontent, and Stress of Daily Life

The author encourages us to reflect on our personal experiences of happiness. Reflect on the occasions you've felt truly joyful—perhaps a blossoming romance, the relief of finishing a workweek, or the acquisition of a coveted possession. Chase emphasizes the fleeting nature of these experiences, noting how quickly they fade, leaving us wanting additional ones. He highlights the sharp disparity between these temporary highs and the often mundane, frustrating, or even anxiety-ridden nature of daily life. This contrast, Chase argues, only reinforces the illusion that happiness is found in external sources, perpetuating the cycle of seeking.

Practical Tips

• Implement a "Pleasure Delay" practice to enhance appreciation. Choose a pleasure you typically indulge in immediately, like a favorite snack or watching a TV show, and intentionally delay gratification. Set a timer for an hour or even a day before you allow yourself to enjoy it. During the waiting period, reflect on why you're looking forward to it and how it contributes to your overall happiness. This can help you distinguish between short-lived pleasures and those that contribute to lasting joy.
• Develop a "Joy Trigger" collection on your phone. This could be a digital album of photos, songs, or videos that remind you of joyful times, like a blossoming romance or the excitement of acquiring something you've longed for. Whenever you need a boost, you can access this collection to relive those feelings.
• Create a 'frustration flip' challenge where you identify one frustrating aspect of your day and actively seek a creative solution or a learning opportunity within it. If you're stuck in traffic, use that time to listen to an educational podcast or practice deep breathing exercises, turning a moment of frustration into one of personal growth or relaxation.
• Create a "Gratitude Map" by designating a wall in your home where you post notes or pictures of ordinary things you're grateful for. This could be as simple as a sunny day, a good book, or a home-cooked meal. Seeing this map daily reinforces the idea that happiness can be found in the regular, often overlooked aspects of life.

Happiness Isn't Found by Seeking More Love, Success, and Freedom; Pursuing These Things Is the Issue

Chase challenges the idea that simply acquiring more—be it love, success, or freedom—leads to lasting happiness. Instead, he argues that this relentless pursuit is, in fact, what causes our dissatisfaction. Like pursuing an illusion, striving for happiness seems to make it recede further. He likens...

Modern Buddhism Summary The Buddha's Four Realities (Four Noble Truths)

Chase introduces the Buddha's Four Core Truths, often called the Four Noble Truths, as a framework for understanding and overcoming suffering. He emphasizes that these realities aren't doctrines to be blindly accepted but rather invitations to examine our personal encounters and discover the truth for ourselves.

The First Truth: Life Includes Suffering

The author clarifies a common misinterpretation of the Buddha's first truth, emphasizing that the Buddha didn't claim life itself is suffering but rather that suffering exists within life. Recognizing and acknowledging that suffering exists, Chase suggests, is the crucial first step toward liberation.

Suffering Includes Birth, Getting Older, Illness, Death, and Heartache

Chase elaborates on the initial truth, "Life contains suffering," by outlining the specific forms this can take. He lists being born, getting older, illness, death, sadness, suffering, and mourning as inherent aspects of human life. These experiences aren't inherently bad, but they hold the potential for dissatisfaction and pain.

Practical Tips

• Engage in regular volunteer work to support others who are experiencing suffering. Helping at a...

Modern Buddhism Summary The Buddha's Eightfold Path in a Contemporary Context

This section delves deeper into the Buddha's eightfold path, offering a modern interpretation that resonates with the challenges and complexities of contemporary life. Chase explores how each aspect can be applied practically in our daily lives, connecting ancient wisdom with modern experiences.

A Fresh Perspective: Seeing Anew, Free of Assumptions and Biases

Chase encourages us to cultivate a "right view" – a way of perceiving the world without the distortions of our preconceived notions, biases, and limiting beliefs. He invites us to approach each experience with fresh eyes, as if we’re seeing them anew, allowing ourselves to view things with a sense of wonder and openness.

Accepting the Wonder and Intrigue Beyond Mind's Interpretations

The author suggests that by quieting the endless noise of our minds, we allow ourselves to connect with the inherent beauty and mystery of existence. He stresses that true seeing goes beyond intellectual understanding, urging us to cultivate a sense of awe and appreciation for the interconnectedness of everything.

Practical Tips

• Start a "Beauty in the Ordinary" photo challenge for yourself, aiming to take one photograph...