Thich Nhat Hanh's Perspective on Life goals and How to Attain them

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the meaning of life and how to reach a certain level of enlightenment, which can be applied to everyday life, in accordance with the thoughts and ideas of Thich Nhat Hanh. This was done by analysing the meanings of life using humanist philosophical theory framework in regard to the method of how to attain this level of enlightenment and the actual results of being able to reach this as set out by Thich Nhat Hanh.

         This study revealed that the meaning of life is happiness; which is to say, to be happy is a result of our wisdom, which is the cause of our happiness and reaching the meaning of life according to the ideas of Thích Nhat Hanh. The ability to develop our consciousness by consciously following our breath and through meditation, is what causes us to become detached from the conditions of our past, and leads us to break away from our depression. It also allows us to be able to break away from the uncertain indecisions of our past, the fears that will arise in the future as well as the anger, fear and depression that are here with us now. Our consciousness knows everything which is here with us at this moment in time. Therefore knowing that, in the present moment, there is happiness, or that happiness will arise immediately.

         Therefore, the meaning of life and how to reach a certain level of enlightenment, which can be applied to everyday life, according to the ideas of Thích Nhat Hanh, can be achieved through attaining a state of happiness in the here and now by practicing the development of one’s consciousness by the application of things learnt from Buddhist teachings in everyday life and the ability to apply them to our lives while still maintaining a normal lifestyle.