No matter who asks it or at what time or because of what, the literal answer to "what's the worst that can happen" is some variation of either the universe being annihilated instantly, eternal pain and torment, etc, etc. Even your little examples pale in comparison with the worst that could happen.

So maybe that's not really the point that he's trying to make, and instead of quibbling over the semantics, we should think about what the real lesson here is.

To me, the point of this exercise is that we often get incredibly stressed out over little things without stopping to ask whether they're worth the stress we're affording them.

I'm pointing out that what he does, and what he says he does, are opposites.

Perhaps we miss the point because he's not clear about it and isn't describing it accurately?

However, Buddhist mindfulness really does predict that the only way to be happy is to contemplate, and accept, your most secret and horrific fears. Try, "No matter how hard I work, what I make will eventually fail and be replaced." Or maybe "Everyone and everything I love will die and be utterly forgotten in a few hundred years."

This is, in fact, practicing happiness. It seems absurd, but if you can't be happy and productive while accepting these thoughts, you weren't ever really happy; just in denial.

That one isn't really that bad though. Unless you are obsessed with leaving some kind of significant mark on humanity. For most of us, what is remembered and forgotten in a few hundred years is hardly relevant since we will be dead.

Sure, acceptance can lead to happiness. It can also lead to madness.

For an example of "dark buddhism", see Thomas Ligotti's "The Conspiracy against the Human Race".

http://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Against-Human-Race-Contriva...