Zen

Because of thought we have this idea of self and me. Because of thought, we descend to hell. Where there is no thought, there is no good or evil, gain or loss, ignorance or wisdom, enlightenment or sorrow. Our mind is not the source of silence, but the course of movement. Like water, it is sometimes clear and sometimes murky, sometimes still and sometimes turbulent. The enlightened mind is like and unceasing flow and has no fixed abode. One has to come upon the mind that does not abide anywhere.

Huineng 6th patriarch

It makes no difference whether one decides to leave home and become a monk or not. What is important is whether one has worldly attachments. To have worldly attachment is to be like the turbulence of the waves- in an agitated state there is gain and loss and thus sorrow is born. Not to have worldly attachments is to be like the calm waters. One can than have freedom of action and in this state there is no birth and death. This is the source of happiness.