Living mindfully in times of chaos

By Minoru Harada

We are living in an age of ceaseless turbulence. In such times, the mind easily spirals into anxiety and impulsive reactions. Trying to achieve emotional stability while facing rough seas of society could be one of the reasons why living mindfully – pausing to reflect – is gaining popularity.

The 13th-century Buddhist priest Nichiren urged us to ‘become masters of our minds, rather than letting our minds master us’, teaching the importance of building an unwavering self that is not swayed by the fickle nature of human emotions.

These days, the constant barrage of information often leads to mental exhaustion. In contrast, the Buddhist principle of mastering one’s mind empowers us to reclaim our mental focus. It could be defined as the discipline of directing our attention to the present, free from the weight of past regrets or future fears. In doing so, we begin to tap into our own innate wisdom and compassion – igniting an inner transformation that reshapes how we relate to ourselves and others.
Mahabharat offers a profound example of mindful leadership through the story of Yudhishthir and Yaksh.

Confronted with the sudden loss of his brothers and a life-or-death challenge from a mysterious being, Yaksh, Yudhishthir does not act out of fear or grief. Instead, he quietens his mind and responds with thoughtful clarity. When given the chance to revive just one brother, he does not choose one of his most powerful brothers but instead selects his stepbrother Nakul, showing consideration toward his mother and his stepmother.

Moved by this choice, the Yaksh eventually revived all of Yudhishthir’s brothers. This was because Yudhishthir’s decision was not driven by emotion, but by concern for others, demonstrating not only selfcontrol but also deep compassion and commitment to justice.

This story reminds us that true mindfulness is more than staying calm – it is using that calm to act with wisdom and a sense of social responsibility. In times of chaos, it is easy to be swayed by fear or self-interest. But when we become the master of our mind, our inner state expands, and we can tap into and act on our wisdom. Even in difficult times, when we act with compassion, we can contribute to a more harmonious world.

On a daily basis, we face such crossroads, where the chaos of our turbulent times demands thoughtful, value-based responses. Anchoring the mind is the first step toward true happiness and fulfilment. Buddhism encourages us to go further. It is not enough only to seek personal tranquility or detachment. A more fulfilling way to live is to build a towering and indestructible state of life, with the spirit of growing together with others and contributing to a more humane society. Then even adversity can become an opportunity to create value.

In the words of my mentor, Soka Gakkai international president Daisaku Ikeda, “As we work for the greater good, we build happiness for ourselves and others. The more we do for other people, the more path of our own happiness will open up.”

The writer is president, Soka Gakkai, a global community-based Buddhist organisation