The Happiness You Don’t Have to Chase – Amitha Khema

July 10, 2026 The Happiness You Don’t Have to Chase – Rev. Amitha Khema Quiet the Mind YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes What if the happiness we’ve been searching for isn’t something we find, but something we stop chasing? In this conversation, Amitha Khema shares the Buddhist perspective on happiness, mindfulness, and the causes of suffering. We discuss why external achievements can never provide lasting fulfillment, how meditation and mindfulness help us respond rather than react, and what it means to develop a deeper sense of peace regardless of life’s ups and downs. If you’re looking for practical ways to live with more awareness, this conversation offers timeless insights that anyone can apply. In This Episode The difference between external pleasure and inner happiness Why chasing happiness often leaves us feeling empty How mindfulness helps us respond instead of react The Four Noble Truths and what they mean in everyday life Why attachment is at the root of suffering Growing up Buddhist in Sri Lanka and attending a Catholic school The value of questioning your own beliefs Meditation as a practical skill, not an escape Finding contentment regardless of circumstances What it really means to live with awareness Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on Amazon Take the Happiness Baseline Quiz Buddhist Meditation Center Featured Guest Venerable Amitha Khema Guest Amitha Khema is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and Buddhist chaplain who is dedicated to making the timeless wisdom of Buddhism accessible to modern life. Drawing on the Theravāda tradition, he teaches practical mindfulness, compassion, and meditation to help people cultivate greater peace, resilience, and inner happiness. His work bridges ancient teachings with the challenges of everyday living, showing that lasting fulfillment comes not from changing our circumstances, but from transforming the mind. Your Host Jim Wills Host Become the Happiest Person You Know Every episode is a step closer to a happier, more intentional life. Subscribe and we’ll send you new episodes, happiness hacks, and insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime. async function hhpSubmit(e) { e.preventDefault(); const email = document.getElementById('hhp-email').value; const msg = document.getElementById('hhp-msg'); const btn = e.target.querySelector('button[type="submit"]'); btn.disabled = true; btn.textContent = 'Subscribing...'; msg.style.display = 'none'; try { const res = await fetch('https://us7.api.mailchimp.com/3.0/lists/8cf046054e/members', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'Authorization': 'Basic ' + btoa('anystring:YOUR_MAILCHIMP_API_KEY') }, body: JSON.stringify({ email_address: email, status: 'subscribed', tags: ['HH Podcast Signup'] }) }); if (res.status === 200 || res.status === 201) { msg.textContent = "You're in! Check your inbox for a welcome from us."; msg.style.background = 'rgba(232,160,32,0.15)'; msg.style.color = '#F5C96A'; document.getElementById('hhp-email').value = ''; } else { const data = await res.json(); if (data.title === 'Member Exists') { msg.textContent = "You're already on the list — we'll keep the good stuff coming!"; msg.style.background = 'rgba(232,160,32,0.15)'; msg.style.color = '#F5C96A'; } else { msg.textContent = 'Something went wrong. Please try again.'; msg.style.background = 'rgba(255,80,80,0.15)'; msg.style.color = '#ff9090'; } } } catch(err) { msg.textContent = 'Something went wrong. Please try again.'; msg.style.background = 'rgba(255,80,80,0.15)'; msg.style.color = '#ff9090'; } msg.style.display = 'block'; btn.disabled = false; btn.textContent = 'Subscribe'; }