Happiness is all in your mind: Gen Kelsang Nyema at TEDxGreenville 2014

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Published 2014-06-15

Simple, profound truths are the realm of this Buddhist nun. Her message? The gift of happiness truly lies within our own hearts and minds. Gen Kelsang Nyema, exuding a peacefulness that immediately connects with the audience, starts by asking three questions: Are you having a good day? Why? Tomorrow, would you rather have a good day or a bad day? She teaches that we cannot put our happiness at the whim of other people and of circumstances. If we want to be happy, we have to "stop outsourcing our happiness to other people" and cultivate a source of inner peace. What happens next is quite astounding. The whole crowd of 350+ people proceeds to meditate with Nyema. There's a little squirming at first, but as she leads the audience through a calm citation of how to rest the mind, audience members feel a collective relaxation flow into the room and through the people. Fascinating! Refreshing.

This talk was part of TEDxGreenville UNZIPPED, held April 11, 2014, at the Kroc Center in Greenville, South Carolina. For more information about Gen Nyema and her co-presenters, please visit tedxgreenville.com/2014presenters

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

All Comments (21)

@jessicahubbard4634 5 years ago

There is so much to learn from her pauses, her timing. She's able to be at peace with silence. It also helps her communicate much better to slow down. It's like she is in touch with a natural energy flow so many of us are disconnected from. This is beautiful.
@zeina2793 5 years ago

I watch this every time I have a panic attack. Truly life changing.
@katerinamarini4078 3 years ago

“Happiness and unhappines are states of mind and therefore their real causes cannot be found outside the mind”
@la8842 3 years ago

I have an awakening when she said “stop blaming others for your unhappiness”. She is right. If we are happy inside, no matter the outside world how bad it is, we will still have a peaceful mind. On the other hand, if we have a war inside, no matter how many beautiful people we meet in our life, how lovely our surrounding is, we will not notice the good.
@kidungkasih 4 years ago

This is the calmest TED video I've ever seen. Literally.
@TrapForestTV 7 years ago

she's so calm more than me while im sleeping
@amilapoornima8902 3 years ago

Anyone 2021 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️ God bless you 😇 She’s smile 🙏
@dogeboixx 1 year ago

When she asked "are you having a good day" I immediately cry. I've been through so much things today. I Don't realize I'm suffering right now
@sarthakmaheshwari3888 3 years ago

Listening to her talking is like meditation.
@devanggraini111 7 years ago

I don't know why, looking at her face and listening to her voice makes me calm. Love this video.
@theliker412 1 year ago

This was posted 8 yrs ago, watching this in 2022, it is peaceful and I’ve learned from this video alot.
@dakotahstr 1 year ago

No matter what kind of day Im having , Im alive, I was given a miracle for another day.
@2TheAbbeyClinic 8 years ago

"When you look for it, you cannot find it. When you find it, you can't get rid of it. When you do neither, it's right there." Tilopa, 11the century
@shellieshimmel9148 4 years ago

Happiness is a choice. Buddhism is a beautiful blend of spirituality and psychology, and she teaches it with a peaceful, loving spirit. Love the meditation at the end.
@noelhogan7289 2 years ago

This human being just oozes spiritual love and more light than most of us have seen in a lifetime. I’d love to sit and talk with her.
@didi749 2 years ago

I’m watching it while crying 🌸🌸🌸.. stress doesn’t know any time 🙃
@amroaquinas1357 5 years ago

taking care of my mother (90 years old) gives me happiness ..
@andreaamaral9861 3 years ago

She has a different kind of beauty, I guess it comes from inside
@MongolianLamb626 1 year ago

We need more persons like her in this world right now...
@susanb1394 3 years ago

This has to be one of the best TEDTalks and one of the best videos I have seen on YouTube. I would love to see more of this person.