Up until now that I read this post, I have never heard of the four noble truths. What a fantastic idea! Needless to say journaling and short walks are my all time favorite ways to calm my nerves . I also used to check the news frequently but not anymore.
Good stuff. I got into zen last year because my anxiety about the future had gotten unbearable. I try to only live in the present now. If I can effect positive change on a situation I might try. But I am done worrying about things outside of my control, I see now that is literally delusional behavior to indulge in.
Wow, this takes me back when we first discussed Buddhism in our World Religion class! I was really amazed by how simple yet so profound their beliefs are. This article just reminded me that feeling when I learned about the four noble truths haha, thanks!
Kornfeild and others might be great writers ... but very little of these Buddhist teachings is true to what once was taught. Especially the Tibetan tradition is mostly hindu masquerading and inverting the meaning of a lot. I was a monk in the Nyingma for 14 years. I wouldn't suggest people go deep into this because you'll expose yourself to cult leaders. I dislike what's happening in these crazy times but it's reminiscent of narcissistic lamas of the Tibetan tradition - many of them are that. Almost all lie and twist what they say to stay on top ... so while your premise is right it's like a suggestion that people wander into some dharma center and get recruited into a cult. People should study and practice VERY CAREFULLY and this "mindfulness movement" is very random and hardly embodies things like the Sutra on the 4 foundations of mindfulness and it's intended benefits. It's often more of a disabling mental state people find themselves in unable to really use critical intelligence. The path towards liberation was the noble 10 fold path - mahayana was manufactured much later to usurp the popularity of Buddhism. I say that having spent an enormous amount of time investigating the source teachings and asking "why are many of these Mahayana sutras mere gobbledy goop nonsense?" (have you ever really read mahayana sutra) who filters or authenticates. A good teacher might be selective but they might just connect you to other less good teachers and away you go into a the wrong views.
An important reminder for our times. And so clearly expressed. Calmness is a form of resistance.
Thank you!
Up until now that I read this post, I have never heard of the four noble truths. What a fantastic idea! Needless to say journaling and short walks are my all time favorite ways to calm my nerves . I also used to check the news frequently but not anymore.
Welcome to them!
This is a perfect explanation of Buddha's understanding, and with all the important caveats. Just superb.
Thank you so much, Jesse!
Good stuff. I got into zen last year because my anxiety about the future had gotten unbearable. I try to only live in the present now. If I can effect positive change on a situation I might try. But I am done worrying about things outside of my control, I see now that is literally delusional behavior to indulge in.
Thanks! Yes, the idea that the present is all we have has never felt more relevant!
“It shouldn’t be this way, but it is this way.” I loved this line, and will be sharing it with my meditation group.
Oh, thanks!
Wow, this takes me back when we first discussed Buddhism in our World Religion class! I was really amazed by how simple yet so profound their beliefs are. This article just reminded me that feeling when I learned about the four noble truths haha, thanks!
Wow, what a nice thing to say. And yeah so simple but I always need to hear them again!
What a great reframing of the Four Noble Truths! Thanks for the reminder to keep doing my practice, over and over again.
Thank you! It's funny how we always have to keep being reminded, but writing this helped!
I needed this reminder too. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Yes! This! As someone who dabbles in Buddhist teachings, I desperately needed this reminder. Thank you.
Thanks for telling me this!
Kornfeild and others might be great writers ... but very little of these Buddhist teachings is true to what once was taught. Especially the Tibetan tradition is mostly hindu masquerading and inverting the meaning of a lot. I was a monk in the Nyingma for 14 years. I wouldn't suggest people go deep into this because you'll expose yourself to cult leaders. I dislike what's happening in these crazy times but it's reminiscent of narcissistic lamas of the Tibetan tradition - many of them are that. Almost all lie and twist what they say to stay on top ... so while your premise is right it's like a suggestion that people wander into some dharma center and get recruited into a cult. People should study and practice VERY CAREFULLY and this "mindfulness movement" is very random and hardly embodies things like the Sutra on the 4 foundations of mindfulness and it's intended benefits. It's often more of a disabling mental state people find themselves in unable to really use critical intelligence. The path towards liberation was the noble 10 fold path - mahayana was manufactured much later to usurp the popularity of Buddhism. I say that having spent an enormous amount of time investigating the source teachings and asking "why are many of these Mahayana sutras mere gobbledy goop nonsense?" (have you ever really read mahayana sutra) who filters or authenticates. A good teacher might be selective but they might just connect you to other less good teachers and away you go into a the wrong views.