New Site (There are so many of them)

[Gareth]

Found this site today, which I thought was quite good:

http://mindfulambition.net/

[JonW]

I stopped reading at this point: 'Choose happiness, because you can be a source of light for others.'

How on earth do you choose happiness?
It's a meaningless slogan?
The site looks to me as if it's more to do with positive thinking than mindfulness.
Cheers,
JW

[Babywhale]

I read that section, too, Jon. The strong emphasis on autonomous choice and action implies a form of conscious striving, which is more likely to bring about disappointment when the gap between what we find now, in this moment, and what we seek (in some future moments) isn't, or hasn't been, realized. Happiness is a feeling that is either present in this moment, or is absent from it. It's not something that be forcibly conjured up or chosen.

[JonW]

'Happiness is a feeling that is either present in this moment, or is absent from it. It's not something that be forcibly conjured up or chosen.'

Exactly this.
If our goal in meditation practice is to be happy, then we set ourselves up for disappointment.
However, if our intention is simply to be mindful and self-compassionate, happiness tends to be a most welcome benefit. But not one to get attached to.
Cheers,
Jon

[Gareth]

I get what you are both saying. Happiness is either there or it isn't.

I do believe that to some extent it is a choice, when you consider your life from a wider perspective rather than at any particular moment in time. What I think about it is summed up in this quote by Thích Nhất Hạnh:

"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." ~ Thích Nhất Hạnh

As in: when you are faced with a major decision in your life, choose happiness, where possible.

Anyway, I encourage you to take a further look at the site. I think that this guy has generally got the right idea and his intentions seem good.

I might invite him to come to the forum.

[Peter]

I do believe that to some extent it is a choice, when you consider your life from a wider perspective rather than at any particular moment in time. What I think about it is summed up in this quote by Thích Nhất Hạnh:

"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." ~ Thích Nhất Hạnh

As in: when you are faced with a major decision in your life, choose happiness, where possible.

I get that, Gareth! Very nice! Being positive and kind etc, is a choice / intent. Choices matter! I think that's what's meant here. In any case I don't think the author is claiming this is solely mindfulness, he calls it 'mindful ambition'. Which is a combination of mindfulness and ambition / intent. I get what he's trying to communicate. They compliment each other!

Peter

[JonW]

'In any case I don't think the author is claiming this is solely mindfulness, he calls it 'mindful ambition'.'

Yes. Good point, Peter. It's not mindfulness at all.
I think we can all agree that choosing to be kind is hardly the same as choosing to be happy.
If we start thinking that we can choose to be happy, then we are deluding ourselves into thinking that we can manipulate our experience.
Cheers,
Jon