The implied promise in Western culture is that a materialistic lifestyle will bring happiness and satisfaction – up to now, that has not worked. Is it possible?

So in this century and the previous one, if we thought that the progress and development of external environment has been the main source of happiness, so all energy has been invested there. Completely, without any hesitancy or reluctance, we totally enjoy that – that is how society operates at this time.

But outer enjoyments, enjoyment of external luxuries, to make us happy alone, this is very difficult. However much we enjoy these luxuries and sensual pleasures, the desire for more keeps increasing. Through that alone, it is very difficult to have complete satisfaction and fulfillment, to bring complete satisfaction and fulfillment to ourselves.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

From Kamashila
Short-Ngon-dro teaching
Germany, 2014