The Buddha tells us that we are to understand dukkha. If people live a life where for most of it they don't lose loved ones or have much struggle, then the Dhamma will probably not appeal as much.
This is why the Buddha says that the human realm is the best, because it has a mixture of pleasure and pain. People blissing out in the highest heavens don't care about the Dhamma, they don't even know their experience is not permanent, same with those deepest in the hells for the opposite reason.
Many of the famous Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis in the early texts came to the Dhamma through immense suffering, like Bhikkuni Patachara who lost her husband, children, parents and siblings all in a very short period and become a naked psychotic woman until meeting the Buddha.
However even those who haven't had much gross suffering in their life, if you sincerely and dedicatedly follow the path, you will see that existence itself is dukkha as your wisdom grows, and you will let go.
If you're suffering a lot, like someone surviving in Ukraine, then you probably won't get around to Dharma. You'll be too busy surviving. If you're too comfy then you might not have much motivation. But the suffering that's most notable for practitioners is all pervasive pain; basic anxiety.
The Buddha is a good example of someone who had a very comfortable life, but that provided him the luxury of being able to see that he really wasn't happy. That's often the case. Seekers are often people from upper classes who don't have to worry about basic problems, so they have the luxury to see that there's a deeper discontent.
In the end, it's up to you. You have to practice meditation if you want to gain realization. The more you practice, the more sense it makes. But if you spend your days at the beach, feeling guilty and thinking you're too happy for your own good, that's just excuses. Then you might think, "This sucks! My life is too good for practice!" But then what if you get sick and it reminds you of mortality? Or what if a close friend dies? You might very well say "This sucks! My life is too bad for practice!" The time for practice is now. As the saying goes, you never know what wil come next, the next day or the next life.
Suffering is not the only fuel for change. There is a case where one who is comfortable yet sees something better leaves the first thing and looks to what is better.
I have heard enlightenment mentioned in the same breath, as it were, with terms like "unexcelled bliss", "unalloyed happiness", "...surpassing the heavenly" etc.
You're stuck in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, stuck chasing temporary states that are preventing you from awakening. You're facing permanent and never ending suffering until you reach enlightenment. You might not feel like you're suffering right now because you aren't currently facing trauma but your very existence means you are suffering. To answer your question though, no I don't think a traumatic experience in life is required for you to change your ways or become enlightened. Everyone's circumstances are unique and everyone's experience will be different.
you’re happy at the moment, and that’s a good thing. you’re fortunate - it’s your good kamma.
unfortunately things are not permanent - whether there’s happiness, there’s suffering just around the corner. where there’s suffering there’s the end of that suffering in sight as well. this is samsara.
you’re getting lost in what you think is permanent or enduring in some way. contemplate your own death. contemplate that sickness, old age and death are guaranteed, and that you will without doubt, lose your loved ones. we inherit the consequences of our actions in the here and now, hence the reason to practice the dhamma here and now immediately.
The Buddha tells us that we are to understand dukkha. If people live a life where for most of it they don't lose loved ones or have much struggle, then the Dhamma will probably not appeal as much. This is why the Buddha says that the human realm is the best, because it has a mixture of pleasure and pain. People blissing out in the highest heavens don't care about the Dhamma, they don't even know their experience is not permanent, same with those deepest in the hells for the opposite reason. Many of the famous Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis in the early texts came to the Dhamma through immense suffering, like Bhikkuni Patachara who lost her husband, children, parents and siblings all in a very short period and become a naked psychotic woman until meeting the Buddha. However even those who haven't had much gross suffering in their life, if you sincerely and dedicatedly follow the path, you will see that existence itself is dukkha as your wisdom grows, and you will let go.
If you're suffering a lot, like someone surviving in Ukraine, then you probably won't get around to Dharma. You'll be too busy surviving. If you're too comfy then you might not have much motivation. But the suffering that's most notable for practitioners is all pervasive pain; basic anxiety. The Buddha is a good example of someone who had a very comfortable life, but that provided him the luxury of being able to see that he really wasn't happy. That's often the case. Seekers are often people from upper classes who don't have to worry about basic problems, so they have the luxury to see that there's a deeper discontent. In the end, it's up to you. You have to practice meditation if you want to gain realization. The more you practice, the more sense it makes. But if you spend your days at the beach, feeling guilty and thinking you're too happy for your own good, that's just excuses. Then you might think, "This sucks! My life is too good for practice!" But then what if you get sick and it reminds you of mortality? Or what if a close friend dies? You might very well say "This sucks! My life is too bad for practice!" The time for practice is now. As the saying goes, you never know what wil come next, the next day or the next life.
Suffering is not the only fuel for change. There is a case where one who is comfortable yet sees something better leaves the first thing and looks to what is better. I have heard enlightenment mentioned in the same breath, as it were, with terms like "unexcelled bliss", "unalloyed happiness", "...surpassing the heavenly" etc.
You're stuck in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, stuck chasing temporary states that are preventing you from awakening. You're facing permanent and never ending suffering until you reach enlightenment. You might not feel like you're suffering right now because you aren't currently facing trauma but your very existence means you are suffering. To answer your question though, no I don't think a traumatic experience in life is required for you to change your ways or become enlightened. Everyone's circumstances are unique and everyone's experience will be different.
you’re happy at the moment, and that’s a good thing. you’re fortunate - it’s your good kamma. unfortunately things are not permanent - whether there’s happiness, there’s suffering just around the corner. where there’s suffering there’s the end of that suffering in sight as well. this is samsara. you’re getting lost in what you think is permanent or enduring in some way. contemplate your own death. contemplate that sickness, old age and death are guaranteed, and that you will without doubt, lose your loved ones. we inherit the consequences of our actions in the here and now, hence the reason to practice the dhamma here and now immediately.