Life is full of suffering – but leaning into moments of pleasure can allow the nervous system to rest | Nadine Levy

The Guardian UK Sunday 01 November 2026, 14:00 UTC By Nadine Levy 1 min read

Key Points

The simplicity of breathing; the sweetness of laughter; the privilege of lying on a bed. Buddhism teaches us how to enjoy the small pleasures Making sense of it is a column about spirituality and how it can be used to navigate everyday lifeThere is a particular Buddhist story that reassured me I had found the right path. The story goes that Prince Siddhartha Gautama was deep in spiritual practice – arduous, unforgiving practice.

The simplicity of breathing; the sweetness of laughter; the privilege of lying on a bed. Buddhism teaches us how to enjoy the small pleasures

Making sense of it is a column about spirituality and how it can be used to navigate everyday life

There is a particular Buddhist story that reassured me I had found the right path.

The story goes that Prince Siddhartha Gautama was deep in spiritual practice – arduous, unforgiving practice. He had tried everything from breath-holding to extreme fasting. But none of it brought the freedom from suffering he sought.

Nadine Levy (PERSON) Buddhist (ORG) Siddhartha Gautama (PERSON)

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Life is full of suffering – but leaning into moments of pleasure can allow the nervous system to rest | Nadine Levy

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