As we were studying the topic for our Buddhist discussion meeting of January I marveled at how liberating the concept was and how it could help so many of us feel happier in life, hence my sharing:
No matter what’s going on in our life, we are never fixed in one inner state.
In Buddhism, this is explained through what are called the Ten Life States.
I like to think of them as inner modes we all move through, sometimes many times a day.
There are states like:
feeling overwhelmed, angry, jealous or empty
feeling calm, content or temporarily happy
feeling curious, reflective, compassionate or deeply grounded
Here’s the key point:
we carry all of them within us at all times.
None of these states are permanent.
And none of them define who we are.
We may have habits — old emotional patterns we fall back into when life gets tough.
For some people it’s worry.
For others, comparison, frustration, or never feeling quite satisfied.
But a habit is not a destiny.
Buddhism teaches something radical and deeply hopeful:
even when we’re in our lowest moments, the potential for our highest Wisdom, courage and compassion is still there.
This is known as the mutual possession of the Ten Life States.
In plain language:
even in despair, hope is possible.
Even in fear, courage can be accessed.
Even in pain, meaning and Growth can emerge.
Real change doesn’t happen by waiting for life to calm down.
It happens when we shift how we meet life.
This inner shift is called human revolution — a deep change in mindset and conviction.
Not pretending everything is fine.
Not bypassing pain.
But choosing responsibility over victimhood, and hope over fear.
When that shift happens, life doesn’t suddenly become problem-free.
But the foundation changes.
I Love this image shared by Daisaku Ikeda:
when a plane rises above the clouds, it’s flying in bright sunshine — even if there’s a storm below.
The storm hasn’t vanished, but the perspective has changed.
That inner sunshine is always available to us.
Not because we’re special.
Not because we’ve “earned” it.
But because it’s already part of being human.
This is why I believe so deeply that transformation doesn’t have to be heavy or joyless.
Yes, it takes courage.
Yes, it takes honesty.
But it can also be life-affirming, freeing — even enjoyable.
Step by step.
Moment by moment.
We move forward.
(I am a Nichiren Buddhist, part of the SGI)
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