#26 my guided path: the four noble truths

“Light is absence of darkness” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Hello my lovelies,

Back again for part two. Today the spotlight is on the foundation of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths. I wanted to discuss this as even though I am still learning, this knowledge is completely guiding my life right now in terms of my awareness and reflection.

In brief:

The premise is that if there is no suffering then happiness cannot exist much like there can be no above if there is no below. This is, because that is. This is the nature of interbeing which means absolutely everything and everyone are connected, all causes, all conditions.

The First Noble Truth is sometimes referred to as – there is suffering (duhkha). However, this was reformed under Thay to describe it as illbeing. It is the mud that allows the lotus to grow because if there is no mud then there is no lotus. Given the fact that this is because that is, then it confirms the Third Noble Truth that there is wellbeing. Nothing can exist alone.

The Second Noble Truth refers to the first in that there is a making of illbeing, a way of life that leads to illbeing. You need only look into the first noble truth to find the second. A way of this is called a path and thus we should look deeply for causes and conditions. It is usually because we have consumed the wrong “nutriments” (sensory impressions, edible foods, volitions). Something can only survive if we feed it. However, this implies that there is a path leading to wellbeing.

Returning back to the Third Noble Truth, it is considered the cessation of illbeing, much like light is the cessation of darkness. By consuming mindfully, we can lead ourselves down the path to wellbeing. This path leading to wellbeing, is known as the Noble Eightfold Path which “can be found in every breath and every step”, we must use love.

Each serve as a reminder that knowing just one of these confirms the other.

How I apply these teachings:

For so, so long I have been in places of illbeing, 24 years to be exact. I have suffered greatly, so has every other being on the planet. The path is complex for me, from trauma and upbringing to the attitudes towards myself, relationships, friendships, meaning and lack of security, of warmth, and so much more. I feed my depression through ruminating mainly these days, allowing those thoughts to consume me. I have fed my anger through seeking out content I disagree with, in the hopes it could shed the different perspectives. The path to illbeing can sometimes seem to be the easier one to go down for the instant gratification, I, once upon a time, was mindless with it.

The knowledge I have now of wellbeing is changing my life. Genuinely. I know I am well because I follow the path to wellbeing. This does not mean I do not have suffering, suffering will be ever-present in my life as I age and continue on, but I can mindfully consume to encourage the right seeds in my store consciousness to grow so that less negative mental formations occur. I feel I am on the right path now.

When I had my most recent breakdown last year, I had the realisation that my life was “unsustainable”. I could not consume and disconnect like I had been. So I used spiritual health to help inform the rest of my life. I took control, but it was tight control. It wasn’t until earlier this year I realised I was still holding harsh opinions of myself. I needed to be more loving and gentle towards myself. I delved and immersed myself. I meditate multiple times a day, I use a bell of mindfulness to come back to the present moment, I combine both Western Psychology with Buddhist Psychology. The most present example I can give is that I label my emotion I am feeling with the DBT Wheel and look deeply into what I “consumed” (the causes and conditions) and find a way to embrace this emotion, this presence, mindfully for the remainder of the day. My Spirit gives rise to better health.

I want my life to be sustainable. So I engage is meaningful activities, I give myself a purpose for the day, I reflect a lot to enhance awareness and I know when to reach out for help to better my wellbeing.

It is getting more sustainable as times go on.