Four times.

In three days.

FOUR TIMES IN THREE DAYS!

That’s how many times I faced death on a hike in southern India.

I walked away from that experience with two huge gifts: gratitude for my life and a deeper connection to my purpose.

I thought these gifts were enough for me to finally be happy. Boy, was I ever wrong.

Two years later, I’m back in India—for my second hike—and still looking for happiness.

Now picture me (with a long beard)—in the Himalayas— 12,000 feet up—with mountain peaks more than twice that height all around.

This time, I’m receiving more gifts! Jolting pain with every step I took because of the blisters. One on each foot (from getting my boots fixed in India instead of showing up with new ones).

And jolting pain from my incessant, inner dialogue. (“Dumb ass!”)

With every step, I was angry, judgmental, and full of regret. Clearly, the pain wasn’t enough.

I was adding lots of self-hatred and guilt for all the years of parties, pills, and white powders.

Each miserable step launching me back in time to that first hike when I was terrified that I would die—violently—and far, far from home.

Starting with my bus almost going off the side of a mountain (as I literally swung out over the abyss)

Next, I’m running from a wildfire

Then, almost stepping on a poisonous snake

And finally, crossing paths with a mountain lion that (somehow) ran away firstAnd you know what? I was high as a kite the whole time!

Ganja—a Sanskrit word for marijuana—is an offering to the Hindu God, Shiva.

I was offering lots to Shiva, all day, almost every day.

Because for most of my adult life, I was trying to stop my own suffering.

But so far, not doing a good job.

Clearly.

I remember being home after surviving that first hike.

Still suffering. Still looking for happiness. So I start smoking meth.

(But don’t worry, it was only on Friday nights.)

At least in the beginning.

For the next two years, my relationships sucked, I lost a few jobs, and I withdrew every last penny from my 401(k). My life—a magnificent mess!

Then, my birthday finds me outside, imploring the Universe, “I just want to be free!”

And five months later I’m back in India—for my second hike.

Now—instead of dying—I’m facing something equally profound.

With every step. All 144,000 steps.

For 9 days straight. For 8 hours a day.

Jolting pain, and my inner voice repeating like a dog chasing its tail.

(You suck. You came back to get your shit together,
and all you have are two stupid blisters.)

Which I began noticing right around the three-hour mark on day one.

Now, it’s lunchtime. I’m hangry! And weeping and cursing myself while shoving food in my face.

If there had been a freezer full of Ben & Jerry’s…Now, I’m using my knife to “unfix” my shoes…

Then wrapping my ankles in moleskin and gauze, which ain’t gonna do a damn thang.

And I’m realizing that all I can do is keep walking forward.

Then, day five—something starts happening!

As I’m walking, I’m seeing the epic majesty of these 28,000-foot peaks, and I’m—HAPPY!

And starting to hear the words from the whispers walking beside me.

Like the dawn, lighting up the mountain tops.

PROCLAIMING in glorious language…

Dude, you’re in the present moment.

(Holy crap. I am!)

I feel my body relax, a tiny smile in my heart.

And I figure it out (albeit twelve years later).By smiling, my body relaxes. And suddenly the pain of each step—is just pain.

I’d just planted a seed that would help me discover the meditation practice that would teach me how to quit suffering.

I call it The Buddha Smile.

Just like the Buddha, I realized that pain doesn’t have to become suffering.

Let me say that differently.

Suffering is an outcome. Suffering happens when you add things like anger, worry, regret, and judgment to your pain, whether it’s a broken promise, a broken toe, or even a broken heart.

Not only do you create your own suffering, you multiply it for yourself and the people around you.

Which makes your “suffering habit” even stronger.

So I’m here to say, QUIT IT. You don’t have to suffer anymore!And the good news is that you don’t need to meditate for twelve years like I did or go halfway or around the world or trek through the Himalayas with blisters to take this gift home with you.

The fact that you’re hearing my voice means that you’re already receiving it.

Now imagine what your life looks like as you keep understanding this.

Then imagine what life looks like when the whole world gets it!

When people realize that pain is just pain and that we all have the power to stop suffering.

RIGHT NOW.

When you quit suffering, you create so much more time, energy, and inspiration. You literally have more life!

So I invite you to ask yourself, What can I do—RIGHT NOW—to be happier?

(And remember. It all starts with a smile.)

🧡🙂