This post was taken from an old blog I wrote for a class in college almost a year ago, and I wanted to revisit it with my current perspective.

The prompt was, "What does well-being mean to you?"

"As a Buddhist, well-being is actually something I constantly think about, and this largely shapes my view of what I think well-being is."

While researching about well-being, one definition that resonated with me was from the World Health Organization,

'Well-being encompasses quality of life, and the ability of people and societies to contribute to the world with a sense of meaning and purpose.'

Humans have always been searching for our purpose and meaning of life. It's the age old question isn't it? Which is why we've created religions of philosophies to make sense of the great unknown -- why we exist -- as it seems we cannot stand to leave that question unanswered. Personally, I think we exist to experience life, in all kinds of facets. We may not experience all of it in one lifetime, but maybe over many lifetimes we'll have seen it all.

While watching "The Habits of Happiness", a TED Talk featuring the biochemist Buddhist monk, Matthier Ricard, he spoke about how temporary happiness is. He used a very interesting analogy to explain the concept of "Equanimity" -- a constant state of mental calmness. He said that when you train your brain to practice mindfulness, it is like sitting at the bottom of the ocean. Even though there may be waves crashing on the surface, or storms and wind causing chaos above, the bottom of the ocean is completely undisturbed, and that is how your deepest inner state should feel when facing chaos in life. I also liked how he acknowledged how temporary happiness is. Many people have this idea that "Well-being" means being happy most of the time, but we should acknowledge that all emotions are temporary, good and bad.

Well-being is not dependent on happiness.

So after doing research as well as combining what I already believe, here is my definition of well-being:

"A constant state of equanimity with a deep awareness for your physical, mental, and spiritual state."

All these dimensions fall under the overarching dimension of "awareness," From the standpoint as a Buddhist, I consider awareness as being aware of impermanence of everything in life. Nothing lasts forever, and as soon as we accept that fact, the sooner we can be at peace with it. This acceptance of impermanence is one of the first steps of practicing mindfulness, which is necessary in order to be in the present moment. The practice of detachment is also key to practicing mindfulness. I see detachment as understanding that since everything in this world will not last forever (health, relationships, posessions etc.) to be grateful when they are still with us, but not fear or be upset when the day comes that they are gone.

Awareness in the physical sense includes understanding that material possessions are temporary and the happiness we gain of obtaining said possessions is fleetings. As the monk said, "The first slice of chocolate cake is amazing, the second slice is good, but after that we feel sick." There are external factors in our environment that we have no control over, therefore our happiness should not be dependent on the outside. The only thing we can control is within ourselves.

Next, being aware of your mental state and the impermanence of your emotions is key. No emotion lasts forever, and Buddha also emphasizes that we have much more control over our emotions than we think we do. When we get angry, even as an initial reaction, we choose to hold onto that anger. We constantly choose to hold on to emotions because we do not want to let go of our attachments. However, the sooner we allow ourselves to let go, the sooner we reach that level of inner peace.

Lastly, awareness of your spirit and the overall journey you are taking through life is important. Of course we should should engage in things that make our spirit feel fulfilled, and this ties back to what you think your purpose is. Since I believe our purpose is to experience, I want to experience life with as much compassion for others (and myself) as I can which supports my spiritual well-being. This idea of well-being is something I continuously work towards and I still struggle but it's all about the journey."