Early in my time in India, one of the first gurus I met asked me why I wanted to become enlightened. I said, “Because it’s probably like being on an acid trip all the time.” He laughed and said, “Then you won’t become enlightened.”

What I realized later was that he was pointing out the selfishness of that motivation. Enlightenment cannot be pursued for personal pleasure. That moment shifted my orientation from personal gain to universal love and compassion for all beings.

There are many people who live in forests or caves and are very happy, but happiness alone is not enlightenment. True enlightenment, in my view, is returning to the world and maintaining that peace while living daily life, becoming a beacon of light from God, the universe, or the divine, and sharing that light with others.

As the Dalai Lama often teaches, the key to happiness is helping others. Selflessness is true ego death. When concern lies with others, there is little room left for anxiety.