The Nature of Suffering and the 4 Noble Truths (Buddhist philosophy)

[Mixo]

Buddhists believe and are guided by what they call "the four noble truths." I will do my best to elucidate the basics of these truths.

1. Life is full of suffering. Birth comes with suffering (as it is a painful experience). Illness is suffering. Death is suffering (in the case of your own death, suffering to your loved ones). Not having what you want is suffering. There are many iterations/manifestations of suffering and this is inextricably linked to human life. "Dhukka" refers not only to the word "suffering" but also also the fleeting, temporary, and conditional nature of an experience that will later inevitably end.

2. One major cause of suffering are derived from desires i.e. greed, cravings (and not necessarily in the bodily sense of a craving, but a longing even). In essence, we have attachments to our desires which causes us suffering. The Buddha taught that these desires are rooted in "ignorance of the self." We go through life grabbing one thing after another in order to attain some sense of peace and stability within ourselves, hoping it will bring us happiness. We attach not only to physical things but also to ideas, hopes, belief systems, money, possessions, jobs, people in our lives. When our expectations are not met, this causes suffering.

3. The only way to alleviate suffering of this mental capacity is through release of attachment. Nothing in this world is permanent or will remain in the same state, so looking for an elusive point where your life will be "perfect" "better" is futile. One must accept that finding contentedness must happen now and part of the way to achieve this is through non-attachment. The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to cravings i.e. desires. Ending the hamster wheel-chase after satisfaction is enlightenment (bodhi, "awakened"). The enlightened being achieves nirvana.

4. The path to non-attachment and enlightenment is through The Eight Fold Path. I will elucidate this theory further, but in sum it includes: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. There is much to be said about these eight tenets so I will post about them another time.

Please keep a productive tone on this post, as I'm not interested in igniting a debate about religion/suicide. Also a caveat-- there are clearly some forms of suffering are not rooted only in human desire (i.e. illness), but I hope you can take what's useful and discard what isn't. The video below does a much better job of explaining than me lol.

 

[jandek]

Do you follow a particular tradition? I've been interested in Buddhism for a long time, and keep the 5 lay precepts, although my relationship toward it has become more ambivalent the more I study it as it was understood and practiced historically. Intellectually, I feel torn between Theravada and certain Mahayana schools, particularly Tiantai and Huayan. The latter traditions unfortunately have almost no presence outside Asia.

 

[Mixo]

Do you follow a particular tradition? I've been interested in Buddhism for a long time, and keep the 5 lay precepts, although my relationship toward it has become more ambivalent the more I study it as it was understood and practiced historically. Intellectually, I feel torn between Theravada and certain Mahayana schools, particularly Tiantai and Huayan. The latter traditions unfortunately have almost no presence outside Asia.

Oh no lol, I'm new to this - a total beginner! You definitely sound way more learned on the different streams of Buddhism, do you practice it now?

 

[Pluto]

It won't let me see the video, but your summary is excellent nonetheless. I have made a similar post before on a closely related branch of the Hindu tradition, Advaita Vedanta, with mixed results.

Everything you have said is true, though there are barriers to realisation of that truth. A lot of people will utilise practices inspired by these traditions in order to reduce the suffering caused by unmoderated mental noise. This can be very effective, but actual enlightenment is a state that is indescribable by its nature, rarely attained even by the most dedicated aspirant and completely unheard-of to most people.

For those of us living in Western society, everything about our culture is light-years behind. We venerate people with the most money and don't notice those in advanced spiritual states. Like drug addicts, even our most respected people live a lifestyle of searching for the next high, as if there's no other way. We think ourselves clever by dismissing all religions as fictional belief systems, all the while steadfastly believing in our own false ego identities like lunatic fanatics.

It is generally very hard to bridge this gap between the insanity of Western culture and the truth of our nature described by the Buddha and others in the same state. However, seeing the futility of seeking permanent happiness within the human condition - which is a realisation that everyone on this website has already attained - is the first step that will motivate the ongoing process of de-conditioning ourselves that will be required.

 

[jandek]

Oh no lol, I'm new to this - a total beginner! You definitely sound way more learned on the different streams of Buddhism, do you practice it now?

Oh, well I'm impressed by your presentation of the 4 noble truths! You did a good job. I dislike when people seize on the first noble truth (often misunderstood) without the context of the others, which fundamentally misrepresents the Buddha's teaching. I don't meditate regularly at the moment, but still try to live by the moral principles. I've been wanting to connect with an active group for a while now, but that was unfortunately derailed by covid. It's hard practicing solo without the benefit of a like-minded community.

 

[Mixo]

Oh, well I'm impressed by your presentation of the 4 noble truths! You did a good job. I dislike when people seize on the first noble truth (often misunderstood) without the context of the others, which fundamentally misrepresents the Buddha's teaching. I don't meditate regularly at the moment, but still try to live by the moral principles. I've been wanting to connect with an active group for a while now, but that was unfortunately derailed by covid. It's hard practicing solo without the benefit of a like-minded community.

That's funny because I'm the opposite - I'm finding the actual practice of meditation and chanting much easier to grasp and to practice than the moralistic parts. There's a great sense of bitterness in me towards humanity that I know is not serving me well and I hope I can cultivate better morals and sense of compassion, as I once used to. There are tons of Buddhist groups around in the US and UK - are you in any of these territories? I am attending some livestreams at a monastery here in the UK, it's a decent alternative if you still want to attend courses (though you sound experienced already).

 

[jandek]

That's funny because I'm the opposite - I'm finding the actual practice of meditation and chanting much easier to grasp and to practice than the moralistic parts. There's a great sense of bitterness in me towards humanity that I know is not serving me well and I hope I can cultivate better morals and sense of compassion, as I once used to. There are tons of Buddhist groups around in the US and UK - are you in any of these territories? I am attending some livestreams at a monastery here in the UK, it's a decent alternative if you still want to attend courses (though you sound experienced already).

I'm in Canada right now. There's a Theravada group quite close to me, but they transitioned to online services since covid. That didn't seem like a good option at the time, but since they still haven't restored in-person meetings, I should probably give it a try and see how it is.

 

[Mixo]

It won't let me see the video, but your summary is excellent nonetheless. I have made a similar post before on a closely related branch of the Hindu tradition, Advaita Vedanta, with mixed results.

Everything you have said is true, though there are barriers to realisation of that truth. A lot of people will utilise practices inspired by these traditions in order to reduce the suffering caused by unmoderated mental noise. This can be very effective, but actual enlightenment is a state that is indescribable by its nature, rarely attained even by the most dedicated aspirant and completely unheard-of to most people.

For those of us living in Western society, everything about our culture is light-years behind. We venerate people with the most money and don't notice those in advanced spiritual states. Like drug addicts, even our most respected people live a lifestyle of searching for the next high, as if there's no other way. We think ourselves clever by dismissing all religions as fictional belief systems, all the while steadfastly believing in our own false ego identities like lunatic fanatics.

It is generally very hard to bridge this gap between the insanity of Western culture and the truth of our nature described by the Buddha and others in the same state. However, seeing the futility of seeking permanent happiness within the human condition - which is a realisation that everyone on this website has already attained - is the first step that will motivate the ongoing process of de-conditioning ourselves that will be required.

What an insightful comment about the kind of quandary that people from Western countries face when practicing Buddhism. I fully agree that Western culture (and particularly capitalism, although I don't want to get too political on this thread) seems to breed and deeply encourage attachment in the most extreme sense, especially to money and possessions. The video should work now, if you're interested. :)

 

[Foresight]

My husband is a Theravada Buddhist so I've picked up his lessons. I'm not an active practitioner though. We watch Hillside Hermitage together and that's the approach I like. Serious, to the point and practical lessons that can really impact your thoughts. It's my number one "therapy" that has ever helped my agoraphobia. The fear is so deep that the penetrating and direct lessons are all that can reach it. I will never reach any enlightenment in this lifetime but I highly respect the study.

My husband is the same way about the meditation practice vs moralistic part. I would say he's intermediate at meditation but falters a bit with the loving-kindness part. I'm the opposite because it comes so naturally to me but I'm unfocused and undisciplined for meditation.

@Pluto I've seen your posts on Advaita Vedanta and I'm so glad you share your insights.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

Buddhists believe and are guided by what they call "the four noble truths." I will do my best to elucidate the basics of these truths.

1. Life is full of suffering. Birth comes with suffering (as it is a painful experience). Illness is suffering. Death is suffering (in the case of your own death, suffering to your loved ones). Not having what you want is suffering. There are many iterations/manifestations of suffering and this is inextricably linked to human life. "Dhukka" refers not only to the word "suffering" but also also the fleeting, temporary, and conditional nature of an experience that will later inevitably end.

2. One major cause of suffering are derived from desires i.e. greed, cravings (and not necessarily in the bodily sense of a craving, but a longing even). In essence, we have attachments to our desires which causes us suffering. The Buddha taught that these desires are rooted in "ignorance of the self." We go through life grabbing one thing after another in order to attain some sense of peace and stability within ourselves, hoping it will bring us happiness. We attach not only to physical things but also to ideas, hopes, belief systems, money, possessions, jobs, people in our lives. When our expectations are not met, this causes suffering.

3. The only way to alleviate suffering of this mental capacity is through release of attachment. Nothing in this world is permanent or will remain in the same state, so looking for an elusive point where your life will be "perfect" "better" is futile. One must accept that finding contentedness must happen now and part of the way to achieve this is through non-attachment. The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to cravings i.e. desires. Ending the hamster wheel-chase after satisfaction is enlightenment (bodhi, "awakened"). The enlightened being achieves nirvana.

4. The path to non-attachment and enlightenment is through The Eight Fold Path. I will elucidate this theory further, but in sum it includes: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. There is much to be said about these eight tenets so I will post about them another time.

Please keep a productive tone on this post, as I'm not interested in igniting a debate about religion/suicide. Also a caveat-- there are clearly some forms of suffering are not rooted only in human desire (i.e. illness), but I hope you can take what's useful and discard what isn't. The video below does a much better job of explaining than me lol.

Very interesting. I'm usually not a religious person and I define myself as an atheist but buddhism has always aroused my curiosity. I think it is a very interesting religion, very different from the others and I would like to start learning.

 

[whatevs]

We venerate people with the most money and don't notice those in advanced spiritual states.

Like some financially miserable, physically unpleasant and unkempt street vendor that is the most calm and cheerful person you ever met? Can this people be sometimes what you describe, advanced students of life or the Wheel of Karma?

 

[Pluto]

What an insightful comment about the kind of quandary that people from Western countries face when practicing Buddhism.

Thanks! The main thing is to understand that there is a single source for all things, and that source is your true nature. Within the kingdom of human intellect, religion is merely a branch of study and Buddhism is merely a sub-branch in turn. But in truth, Buddhism is pointing directly to the source of life itself.

What this means is that a merely intellectual approach is undesirable, versus directly experiencing peace, oneness and so forth. What @jandek has indicated, about the importance of immersing yourself in this world-view to drown out our old conditioning, is imperative.

Advaita teachers sometimes say that everyone is already enlightened, but merely distracted by the false sense of self that we derive from our conditioned minds. Such banter between masters and aspirants, with their radically different perspectives, can be a delight to watch unfold.

@Pluto I've seen your posts on Advaita Vedanta and I'm so glad you share your insights.

Thanks for the supportive words. I'm similar to you in that I struggle with the need for intense focus. Unfortunately, despite 25 years of study, I'm more of an encyclopedia than anything of substance.

One thing I have learned, though, is that it's impossible to tell when an enlightenment experience will happen. It seems to be all about work done in past lifetimes, which most of us have no recollection of. There is always hope.

One of the best examples of our time is Eckhart Tolle. He grew up in the despair of post-war Germany and was somewhat suicidal since childhood, but suddenly had a dramatic awakening experience in the midst of a depressive episode at the age of 29. He described watching his unhappy ego implode like an inflatable children's toy with the plug removed. I mention him also because his work, most famously the book The Power of Now, is extremely helpful at bridging the gap between Western culture and Eastern wisdom. Pretty much a must-read for all beginners. :)

 

[Foresight]

I like Tolle. I think his wisdom is underestimated because he hit the mainstream. I haven't read his book (that focus issue) but I use to watch his q&a format lectures.

 

[Pluto]

Like some financially miserable, physically unpleasant and unkempt street vendor that is the most calm and cheerful person you ever met? Can this people be sometimes what you describe, advanced students of life or the Wheel of Karma?

There have been a few like you describe. Some become reclusive and 'bliss out' for life behind closed doors. But there are some who lead normal family lives, too. And some have quite dubious personalities on the surface.

I've been told that they can recognise each other even at a distance, but there's no way for a normie to recognise them, unless perhaps they find their mind going Zen just by being in someone's presence.

 

[Mixo]

Thanks all posters on this thread who commented their thoughts and experiences with Buddhism, it's been a joy to read. If anyone else has more they want to share, it would be great.

 

[whatevs]

I like Tolle. I think his wisdom is underestimated because he hit the mainstream. I haven't read his book (that focus issue) but I use to watch his q&a format lectures.

I remember a feeling of peace and insight that only lasted as long as it took to finish the book that propelled him to global stardom.

 

[Al_stargate]

Good insight on life but the problem is karma which no religion can negate. It can make life better by teaching how to be a better person and subsequently reap better karma in future, but it can't erase bad karma from the past lives that is just waiting to be fulfilled and also can't end the reincarnation cycle. Any kind of spiritual practice without a competent teacher or guru or master, is just teaching how to be a better person. I've been into mysticism for over a decade and have studied sufism, sikhism and read about many saints in the past and religious practices and customs from all major religions.

 

[whatevs]

@Pluto and @Foresight can you tell us what's the earliest or best expressed document narrating how Gautama came to become a Buddha? I'm talking about the origin story mostly, he was a privileged prince, then came in contact with pain, old age, illness and such. I've always liked that story, is poetic and poignant.

This is an important document because the motivation behind Buddhism is existential pessimism and many Westerners like to bastardize Hinduist-originated mysticism as doing yoga and meditation to be physically and mentally healthy, when I'm fact it's a solemn search for an exit door to existence.

There's a grave misunderstanding when you twist something that it's about overcoming existence to trying to make existence more comfortable. Buddhism was more tempered in the ascetic aspect than its ancestor, but in any religion that you have sexual abstinence, 'put the another cheek' and/or vegetarianism there's a rejection of life.

Furthermore, Schopenhauer taught how the principium individuationis is what constitutes life at the essential level, that is, the difference or fragmentation of the Universal Self into more and more distinct, separate and therefore enemical pieces. So any religion that teaches monism is also attacking life itself, which is based fundamentally on the illusion/addiction of individuality. The byical 'love thy enemy' is not of semitic origin at all, but asiatic and likely hinduist.

 

[Al_stargate]

@Pluto and @Foresight can you tell us what's the earliest or best expressed document narrating how Gautama came to become a Buddha? I'm talking about the origin story mostly, he was a privileged prince, then came in contact with pain, old age, illness and such. I've always liked that story, is poetic and poignant.

This is an important document because the motivation behind Buddhism is existential pessimism and many Westerners like to bastardize Hinduist-originated mysticism as doing yoga and meditation to be physically and mentally healthy, when I'm fact it's a solemn search for an exit door to existence.

There's a grave misunderstanding when you twist something that it's about overcoming existence to trying to make existence more comfortable. Buddhism was more tempered in the ascetic aspect than its ancestor, but in any religion that you have sexual abstinence, 'put the another cheek' and/or vegetarianism there's a rejection of life.

Furthermore, Schopenhauer taught how the principium individuationis is what constitutes life at the essential level, that is, the difference or fragmentation of the Universal Self into more and more distinct, separate and therefore enemical pieces. So any religion that teaches monism is also attacking life itself, which is based fundamentally on the illusion/addiction of individuality. The byical 'love thy enemy' is not of semitic origin at all, but asiatic and likely hinduist.

Buddha supposedly lived over 2500 years ago so a lot of that is orally passed and lost along the way. I don't think 'turn the other cheek' and vegetarianism is a rejection of life. It might be hard or impractical at times but it's a good frame for life.

 

[whatevs]

Buddha supposedly lived over 2500 years ago so a lot of that is orally passed and lost along the way. I don't think 'turn the other cheek' and vegetarianism is a rejection of life. It might be hard or impractical at times but it's a good frame for life.

Life is a contest, a battle, a competition. All lifeforms eat or use others for survival and struggle against the members of their same species to gain rights for reproduction. Rejecting vengeance and the consumption of more sentient lifeforms is one step towards rejecting biological existence as it is expressing disgust with two things that are fundamental to it.

And in most situations it will be a disadvantage to be unable to respond to attackers with violence, launch attacks yourself or to eat other animals. In our modern world I guess you can often replace violence by defamation, deceit, etc, but the end result is still destroying your opponent or taking his stuff.

 

[jandek]

Good insight on life but the problem is karma which no religion can negate. It can make life better by teaching how to be a better person and subsequently reap better karma in future, but it can't erase bad karma from the past lives that is just waiting to be fulfilled and also can't end the reincarnation cycle. Any kind of spiritual practice without a competent teacher or guru or master, is just teaching how to be a better person. I've been into mysticism for over a decade and have studied sufism, sikhism and read about many saints in the past and religious practices and customs from all major religions.

There are different and rather nuanced perspectives on the subject of karma within Buddhism as a whole, and I'm not sure I can do them justice, but this is my few cents:

Karma, action or intention, must be distinguished from its result (or "fruit"). While all defiled actions, that is tainted with the "three poisons" of ignorance, greed, and aversion, are karmic and therefore must yield a result, the result like the deed cannot be said to be permanent. The results of specific karma, whether good or evil, are eventually exhausted, although the cycle of existence doesn't stop because in our defiled state we continue to produce new karma. This is what happens to beings in the various realms of Buddhist cosmology. For example, heavenly beings (devas) are said to live for an extraordinary lifespan in great bliss, but the good karma that produced that existence finally ends, sometimes to the great distress and even shock of the deva, and they are reborn in another state.

Buddhas and arhats are said to be released from the cycle of rebirth because they have completely eradicated the "three poisons" that produce karma and therefore all samsaric existence. The physical body they retain, as all bodies are said to be karmic productions, is merely a residual result of past karma. The Buddha after his enlightenment attained "nirvana with residue," that is the karmic "residue" of his body. With the dissolution of his bodily elements, he attained "nirvana without residue." Even after the Buddha's enlightenment, he continued to experience the results of his past karma. However, he no longer produced any new karma.

I know in Tibetan Buddhism they have practices that are said to "purify karma." I'm not entirely sure what that means in a technical sense. My perspective on this is mostly derived from the Theravada tradition.

 

[Al_stargate]

Life is a contest, a battle, a competition. All lifeforms eat or use others for survival and struggle against the members of their same species to gain rights for reproduction. Rejecting vengeance and the consumption of more sentient lifeforms is one step towards rejecting biological existence as it is expressing disgust with two things that are fundamental to it.

And in most situations it will be a disadvantage to be unable to respond to attackers with violence, launch attacks yourself or to eat other animals. In our modern world I guess you can often replace violence by defamation, deceit, etc, but the end result is still destroying your opponent or taking his stuff.

Whatever you say it's gonna manifest in your life. If you say that life is a competition and there is no other way than crushing someone else, then that's how it's gonna be for you. Don't make any definitive statements, you gonna regret it in life. Human are the crown of the creation, we are bound by karma unlike lower life forms which don't have karma. I've been vegetarian for over 10 years and am perfectly healthy. I work in a competitive field but that I focus on being better and having ideas, not on crushing others. I've been crushed myself in my own life, partly fault by me for trusting others. On a personal level, in my life, there was no need for violence but it came very close to that quite a few times.

There are different and rather nuanced perspectives on the subject of karma within Buddhism as a whole, and I'm not sure I can do them justice, but this is my few cents:

Karma, action or intention, must be distinguished from its result (or "fruit"). While all defiled actions, that is tainted with the "three poisons" of ignorance, greed, and aversion, are karmic and therefore must yield a result, the result like the deed cannot be said to be permanent. The results of specific karma, whether good or evil, are eventually exhausted, although the cycle of existence doesn't stop because in our defiled state we continue to produce new karma. This is what happens to beings in the various realms of Buddhist cosmology. For example, heavenly beings (devas) are said to live for an extraordinary lifespan in great bliss, but the good karma that produced that existence finally ends, sometimes to the great distress and even shock of the deva, and they are reborn in another state.

Buddhas and arhats are said to be released from the cycle of rebirth because they have completely eradicated the "three poisons" that produce karma and therefore all samsaric existence. The physical body they retain, as all bodies are said to be karmic productions, is merely a residual result of past karma. The Buddha after his enlightenment attained "nirvana with residue," that is the karmic "residue" of his body. With the dissolution of his bodily elements, he attained "nirvana without residue." Even after the Buddha's enlightenment, he continued to experience the results of his past karma. However, he no longer produced any new karma.

I know in Tibetan Buddhism they have practices that are said to "purify karma." I'm not entirely sure what that means in a technical sense. My perspective on this is mostly derived from the Theravada tradition.

There are three types of karma. Don't remember the Sanskrit name but they are - stored karma, which is karma from all the previous lives, - fate karma, which is karma we have been given in this life to play out, and - action karma, which is the karma we all are creating by existing, by our actions in this life.
Ego, greed, lust, attachment, and anger, are five spiritual thiefs that make us do bad things and then we are bound to this world and can't progress spiritually. They work through the mind, that's why meditation is a tool to subdue these bad impulses. This world is a play between God and negative force. Negative force is trying to have its kingdom and subjects and is tempting us with desires and courting our ego. In every spiritual practice I've studied there is a great emphasis on a Master or Guru, someone who has experience and can show us a way out of this world through meditation and spiritual life.

 

[whatevs]

Whatever you say it's gonna manifest in your life. If you say that life is a competition and there is no other way than crushing someone else, then that's how it's gonna be for you. Don't make any definitive statements, you gonna regret it in life. Human are the crown of the creation, we are bound by karma unlike lower life forms which don't have karma. I've been vegetarian for over 10 years and am perfectly healthy. I work in a competitive field but that I focus on being better and having ideas, not on crushing others. I've been crushed myself in my own life, partly fault by me for trusting others. On a personal level, in my life, there was no need for violence but it came very close to that quite a few times.

I have some degree of narcissistic personality disorder, which has the peculiar effect of prompting definitive statements and speaking like you know things better than anybody else. It sucks.

My attempt at explaining why I think vegetarianism and pacifism/monism are at odds with life (or at least signal the start of spiritual departure from life) in a forum post could hardly translate the years I spent reading the philosopher Schopenhauer. However, I trust that you can gain similar insights observing people, animals, insects and plants. The food chain and animal behavior in general are quite illustrative.

Is collaboration or symbiosis more or less common than predation and parasitism in Nature? This is the crux of the issue. Is life at war with itself, or could we somehow live harmoniously? If the nature of life itself is lust and craving, we can't.

 

[Al_stargate]

I have some degree of narcissistic personality disorder, which has the peculiar effect of prompting definitive statements and speaking like you know things better than anybody else. It sucks.

My attempt at explaining why I think vegetarianism and pacifism/monism are at odds with life (or at least signal the start of spiritual departure from life) in a forum post could hardly translate the years I spent reading the philosopher Schopenhauer. However, I trust that you can gain similar insights observing people, animals, insects and plants. The food chain and animal behavior in general are quite illustrative.

Is collaboration or symbiosis more or less common than predation and parasitism in Nature? This is the crux of the issue. Is life at war with itself, or could we somehow live harmoniously? If the nature of life itself is lust and craving, we can't.

I agree, nature does work the way you described but it is said; human form is the crown of creation, and we are given free will to some degree. As much as we are animals we are also spiritual beings, God created us in his own image, that's how it's said, and we can make choices. Because most people behave in a certain way, that doesn't mean you or I have to behave the same way. I also read some philosophy when I was a teenager, like Marx, Zizek, Nietsche, and some others that I can't remember anymore.

 

[Heartaches]

Very interesting read. Buddhism has always been a bit of a mistery to me even though I do know a few people that practice it, but for some reason didn't feel to ask them.

Don't know if fully related, but years ago I went to different Yoga classes and a lot of what I was taught remind me of the 4 noble truths. I learned a little bit of Sanskrit (very basic though), mantras, and more, but since sometime has gone by I can't fully remember. We would always have a reflection at the end, something to keep in mind from then on; a lot of it had to do with non-attachment, respect for others' life (as in, for example, respecting their time) and understanding one's own problems they must work on. I remember it from time to time and think about what all of it meant.

Thank you for sharing this, again, very interesting to know, would love to know more in the future.​

 

[Celerity]

I have found a lot of wisdom in these basic principles of Buddhism, but being able to put them to practice in your life is extremely difficult. It's a struggle against human nature. At the end of the day, we evolved from animals whose main mission was to seek pleasure and avoid pain. IMO, rejecting those innate drives entails being on your guard constantly or retreating from normal life. I'm not sure I have the discipline for either.

 

[Pluto]

I like Tolle. I think his wisdom is underestimated because he hit the mainstream. I haven't read his book (that focus issue) but I use to watch his q&a format lectures.

I remember a feeling of peace and insight that only lasted as long as it took to finish the book that propelled him to global stardom.

That is correct. I knew a guy who used to listen to the Power of Now audiobook on repeat every day on his commute. After many months he had some sort of a satori experience. (I tried something similar for a few years but didn't get the satori. At least I've practically memorised the book.) It is not a normal book which merely has informative value, so there's nothing wrong with delving into it repeatedly in order to deepen one's spiritual state.

Good insight on life but the problem is karma which no religion can negate. It can make life better by teaching how to be a better person and subsequently reap better karma in future, but it can't erase bad karma from the past lives that is just waiting to be fulfilled and also can't end the reincarnation cycle.

I can answer your question from an Advaita perspective, which is similar to Mahayana Buddhism. Achieving enlightenment ('realising the Self') means losing the individual sense of self, and with it both the illusion of free will and the need to cultivate good qualities. This state ends all karma, because that too is a part of the individual self, and ceases the reincarnation cycle because the highest state has been attained. Earthly life continues on auto-pilot for the scripted duration of the body.

This is an important document because the motivation behind Buddhism is existential pessimism and many Westerners like to bastardize Hinduist-originated mysticism as doing yoga and meditation to be physically and mentally healthy, when I'm fact it's a solemn search for an exit door to existence.

I agree with this entirely. The culture of sincere seekers is so different that it's hard to believe they occupy the same planet. I cannot help with the document of the Buddha's story. Maybe @DoNotBoopTheSnoot may have more to say about that.

Life is a contest, a battle, a competition.

This sounds like a 'survival of the fittest' argument; these can be slippery slopes towards a very different kind of swastika. The viewpoint of those who have realised the Self is different as they do not see 'others' as other. This is the crucial part that is hard to communicate. They are not upholding some ethical standard of being nice to others, they are self-serving like anyone else, but identified only with the universal Self, Brahman. And apparently it's also a blissful state.

 

[whatevs]

This sounds like a 'survival of the fittest' argument; these can be slippery slopes towards a very different kind of swastika. The viewpoint of those who have realised the Self is different as they do not see 'others' as other. This is the crucial part that is hard to communicate. They are not upholding some ethical standard of being nice to others, they are self-serving like anyone else, but identified only with the universal Self, Brahman. And apparently it's also a blissful state.

Oh without a doubt, I am a monist myself, we are all One at the highest level of abstraction. But as I see it the essence of life is conflict/separation, not union. The very existence of life is dependent of fragmentation of the Universal Self, which creates 'illusory' and not so illusory differences that lead to enmity or contest. Perhaps it can be argued that life will naturally tend to unify over time but as it stands survival of the fittest occupies most of what can be observed among lifeforms.

 

[Pluto]

but as it stands survival of the fittest occupies most of what can be observed among lifeforms.

I understand what you mean, of course, but differences in terminology can lead to interesting discussions.

Life is simply existence, or consciousness. Different states of being and different events appear in front of you. Doesn't matter if you are in deep sleep in a state of emptiness, in a dream-state interacting with an illusory realm, or in the waking state, appearing to be inside a body hell-bent on survival. The state of enlightenment differs only in that it is the eternal, underlying pure state without being identified with the aforementioned virtual reality 'stuff' that appears in front of you.



In a way, the universe started out as unified at the moment of the Big Bang, then diversified. Another similar event was the Cambrian Explosion. The eventual tendency is towards unification. However, even this is merely a human perspective because time itself is an illusion. That assumes this guy knows what he's talking about.

 

[whatevs]

Life and consciousness are certainly not the same thing. A plant isn´t conscious, even though it is slightly sentient. One of the things I am concerned about is with characterizing life or distilling its essence. Diversity, wanting, struggle and conflict are elements I have identified as quite near the heart of life. Of course, we should work to stifle these, but they are present in all observable lifeforms and as such they define life.

What existed before and will exist before death should be assigned a different name than consciousness, since consciousness seems to be restricted to a sophisticated (but very limited) form of animal sentience that depends on a living human body and healthy brain. This is not to say that which is grander than life cannot produce sentience in the same or a larger capacity, but if it does it won´t be through a brain.