7 lessons from the Dalai Lama that will help anyone feeling lost in life

For a long time, I felt like a ship lost at sea.

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit, and a self-confessed psychology enthusiast.

I was always seeking direction, inner peace, purpose, and a sense of contentment but, instead, what I got was confusion, restlessness and a nagging feeling of being adrift.

This was me a few years back; I was in a job that didn’t fulfill me, relationships that didn’t work and a mind that wouldn’t stop buzzing with negativity.

I was stuck in a rut and didn’t know how to pull myself out.

Then, I stumbled upon the wisdom of the Dalai Lama, and my life took an unexpected turn.

His teachings were like a lighthouse guiding me back to shore.

In this article, I’m going to share the seven crucial lessons from the Dalai Lama that helped me navigate through life’s storms.

I hope they will prove to be as illuminating for you as they were for me!

1) Embrace compassion

I used to be quite hard on myself.

Always setting high standards, always falling short, and then beating myself up over it—it was a vicious cycle.

The Dalai Lama taught me that compassion begins with ourselves.

It was a lightbulb moment for me.

Compassion became my new mantra.

I started treating myself with kindness, forgiving myself for my mistakes, and accepting my flaws.

It was like lifting a heavy burden off my shoulders.

And the surprising part? As I became kinder to myself, I found it easier to extend that same compassion to others.

Start by acknowledging your feelings without judgment and remind yourself that it’s okay not to be perfect.

2) Practice gratitude

Following this advice, I started a simple daily ritual: every morning, before my feet even hit the floor, I would think of three things I was grateful for.

Here’s where it gets personal: One particularly rough morning, after a night of little sleep and looming deadlines at work, the only thing I felt grateful for was my coffee maker.

However, I stuck to my ritual and verbalized my gratitude for that small appliance.

And you know what? It worked. It transformed my attitude for the rest of the day.

This is backed by author Ariana Huffington, who said, “Gratitude works its magic by serving as an antidote to negative emotions. It’s like white blood cells for the soul, protecting us from cynicism, entitlement, anger, and resignation.”

3) Live in the present

The third lesson that struck a chord with me was the importance of living in the present.

This hit home for me as I was a chronic overthinker, always ruminating on past mistakes or worrying about future uncertainties—it was like I was living everywhere but in the actual moment.

I decided to try and change this; I started dedicating a few minutes each day to just sit quietly and immerse myself in the present moment.

No phone, no distractions, just me and my surroundings.

Then, one day, while sitting quietly in my backyard, I noticed how the leaves rustled in the wind, how the birds chirped, and how the air smelled after a light drizzle.

It was an ordinary moment that felt extraordinarily peaceful.

That’s when I realized: When you live in the present, you’re not just existing—you’re truly living.

4) Cultivate positive relationships

We often underestimate the power of a good relationship until we experience the absence of it.

I realized that in my quest to find my purpose, I had isolated myself from my friends and family.

However, this approach left me feeling emptier than ever.

So, I started making an effort to connect with the people around me.

I called up an old friend, spent quality time with my family, and even made some new connections along the way.

Here’s what I found: These relationships brought more joy and fulfillment into my life than any personal achievement ever did.

Close relationships are what keep people happy throughout their lives; having someone to rely on helps your nervous system relax, helps your brain stay healthier for longer, and reduces both emotional as well as physical pain.

5) Embrace change

I was someone who feared change; I liked my comfort zone and the predictability it offered.

However, this approach made me resistant to new experiences and opportunities.

And then one day, I lost my job—I was devastated and anxious about what the future held.

But instead of resisting this change, I decided to embrace it as an opportunity for growth.

I used this time to explore my interests, learn new skills, and eventually, start Hack Spirit.

In retrospect, losing my job was one of the best things that happened to me.

It pushed me out of my comfort zone and opened doors to possibilities I hadn’t imagined before.

If you’re feeling lost because of a recent change in your life, remember that change isn’t always a bad thing.

Sometimes, it’s just life’s way of nudging you towards a path you were meant to walk on.

6) Practice forgiveness

This resonated deeply with me because I had been holding onto a grudge against a friend who had wronged me.

The anger and resentment I held were eating away at my peace of mind.

Taking inspiration from the Dalai Lama, I decided to let go of this grudge and forgive my friend.

It wasn’t easy, but the moment I did it, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

The renowned psychologist Carl Jung once said, “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”

This quote reminds us that we have the power to choose forgiveness and free ourselves from the shackles of resentment and anger.

If you’re feeling lost and burdened by past hurts, consider practicing forgiveness.

It’s not about letting someone else off the hook, it’s about setting yourself free.

7) Accept pain and suffering

At first, this seemed rather bleak.

But, as I delved deeper into this concept, I realized that by accepting pain as an inescapable part of life, we can prevent it from taking over our lives.

I recall a time when I was dealing with heartbreak.

It felt like my world had ended but, instead of trying to suppress or avoid the pain, I allowed myself to feel it, acknowledging it as a part of my human experience.

And you know what? It didn’t consume me—it passed through me, leaving me stronger and more resilient than before.

Here’s a practical takeaway: The next time you experience pain or suffering, instead of resisting it, try sitting with it.

Acknowledge it without judgment and feel it without fear—pain is a part of life, but suffering is a choice.

Conclusion

Learning from the wisdom of the Dalai Lama has been transformative for me, and I hope these lessons can provide some guidance for you too.

Remember, life is a journey with its share of ups and downs—it’s okay to feel lost sometimes.

What’s important is not to let these moments dictate your life.

Take one step at a time: Practice compassion and gratitude, live in the present, build positive relationships, embrace change, forgive, and accept pain as a part of life.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort, you can navigate through life’s challenges and find your path to happiness and fulfillment.