Noble Truths
Sunday, 10. June 2007, 01:02:19
The Noble Truths read in this form.
1. All life is suffering.
2. Suffering originates from attachment or craving to things
3. To reduce suffering, eliminate or non-attach from the craving
4. Replace these non-attachments with the eightfold truth (right thought, action, intention, speech, etc.)
I don't disagree with the premise of Buddhism. There is suffering in life. However, I do not think we need to eliminate or lessen it. To do so may create this ability to react like the wind and not be harmed by the harsh world around us. However, the harsh world--anger, frustration, anxiety--actually is good for the human being. So, I am saying, that though life is suffering, we should recognize suffering as a positive quality, too.
When I suffer, I write. When I suffer, I change. When I suffer, I learn. Suffering does not always harm us. Somewhere in the Book of Psalms states that "a sad heart is better than a happy one." And, I do not mean to say that we should punish ourselves into this suffering element. We should, however, recognize that the human condition is sometimes painful, and the pain exists for learning experiences and to balance out the other side of happiness and compassion.
Next, to eliminate suffering is to eliminate or reduce the craving. This point is hard for me to grasp. Eliminating attachment sometimes creates more attachment. Try quiting smoking. Go on a diet. Non-attach from a situation, and you will begin to view yourself as some non-human, so to speak. We all struggle, of course, and we are all over-attached to everything in our lives, but that is okay, because we are vulnerable human beings similar to my cat who will eat all day if you place unlimited cat food in his tray. Reduce the craving for sex and you will only create more of a sex addict. What happens though if we embrace our cravings. Recognize them for what they are. Stop denying and trying to detach ourselves from the normal circumstances of existence mixed with pain and joy. Does the craving harm another human being? does it harm the self? Does it harm the environment? If there are limited amounts of harm, then why eliminate our connection to this reality. "Eat, drink, and be merry," the Romans said, and Jesus turned water into wine. Not much suffering there, although I will not get into the whole cross thing.
Next, return to the right thought, the right action, the right everything. This is basically the ten commandments to some degree. Focus your thoughts on rightness. Eliminate the selfishness within you and serve others. Okay, I know quite a few people who have done that and have become angry maniacs in the end who have decided to leave their patriarchal husbands and become co-dependent still on another human being. Is there a right intention, really? Right for whom? For the family? For the individual? How do you really know if the right intention that reduces harm is actually the right answer. Perhaps the wrong intention might lead a person to some great perspective of the world that will later save another person.
So, am I saying that we need to rid the Eight-fold path? Of course not! There is truth there, but there is also truth in its opposite. Alcohol is forbidden according to the eight-fold path. Nevertheless, some of my happiest moments in life surround a glass of wine while sitting in a bathtub with my wife. Cheers! So, I am simply saying that at times the eightfold path may be antithetical to the human being's body.
We suffer. We die. We love. We hate. Let's accept all of the paradoxes and stop trying to form some ultimate pattern to escape this world that ACTUALLY EXISTS. If this world is a delusion, then let me enjoy the delusion. I am lost in my own Funhouse, and if there is no escape nor a funhouse to begin with, I am still fine. Life is good. Cheers! Mondavi Cabernet! Cheers!
1. All life is suffering.
2. Suffering originates from attachment or craving to things
3. To reduce suffering, eliminate or non-attach from the craving
4. Replace these non-attachments with the eightfold truth (right thought, action, intention, speech, etc.)
I don't disagree with the premise of Buddhism. There is suffering in life. However, I do not think we need to eliminate or lessen it. To do so may create this ability to react like the wind and not be harmed by the harsh world around us. However, the harsh world--anger, frustration, anxiety--actually is good for the human being. So, I am saying, that though life is suffering, we should recognize suffering as a positive quality, too.
When I suffer, I write. When I suffer, I change. When I suffer, I learn. Suffering does not always harm us. Somewhere in the Book of Psalms states that "a sad heart is better than a happy one." And, I do not mean to say that we should punish ourselves into this suffering element. We should, however, recognize that the human condition is sometimes painful, and the pain exists for learning experiences and to balance out the other side of happiness and compassion.
Next, to eliminate suffering is to eliminate or reduce the craving. This point is hard for me to grasp. Eliminating attachment sometimes creates more attachment. Try quiting smoking. Go on a diet. Non-attach from a situation, and you will begin to view yourself as some non-human, so to speak. We all struggle, of course, and we are all over-attached to everything in our lives, but that is okay, because we are vulnerable human beings similar to my cat who will eat all day if you place unlimited cat food in his tray. Reduce the craving for sex and you will only create more of a sex addict. What happens though if we embrace our cravings. Recognize them for what they are. Stop denying and trying to detach ourselves from the normal circumstances of existence mixed with pain and joy. Does the craving harm another human being? does it harm the self? Does it harm the environment? If there are limited amounts of harm, then why eliminate our connection to this reality. "Eat, drink, and be merry," the Romans said, and Jesus turned water into wine. Not much suffering there, although I will not get into the whole cross thing.
Next, return to the right thought, the right action, the right everything. This is basically the ten commandments to some degree. Focus your thoughts on rightness. Eliminate the selfishness within you and serve others. Okay, I know quite a few people who have done that and have become angry maniacs in the end who have decided to leave their patriarchal husbands and become co-dependent still on another human being. Is there a right intention, really? Right for whom? For the family? For the individual? How do you really know if the right intention that reduces harm is actually the right answer. Perhaps the wrong intention might lead a person to some great perspective of the world that will later save another person.
So, am I saying that we need to rid the Eight-fold path? Of course not! There is truth there, but there is also truth in its opposite. Alcohol is forbidden according to the eight-fold path. Nevertheless, some of my happiest moments in life surround a glass of wine while sitting in a bathtub with my wife. Cheers! So, I am simply saying that at times the eightfold path may be antithetical to the human being's body.
We suffer. We die. We love. We hate. Let's accept all of the paradoxes and stop trying to form some ultimate pattern to escape this world that ACTUALLY EXISTS. If this world is a delusion, then let me enjoy the delusion. I am lost in my own Funhouse, and if there is no escape nor a funhouse to begin with, I am still fine. Life is good. Cheers! Mondavi Cabernet! Cheers!
WIDGETIZE