Suffering during the Holiday Season

Expectations run high for the perfect Hallmark/Netflix Christmas, which sets us up for disappointment. Our coping skills are diminished by lack of focus. We are exhausted by the rush and absorb negative energies from crowds of people with the same expectations and disappointments. So, drawn into the circus, we suffer. But we don’t have to suffer.
I find help in these simple truths from Buddhism and from the call of Christian mystics to let go and empty ourselves from disquieting ego attachments. Catching a few moments of silent solitude here and there help me to refocus when I feel drawn into the circus. My mantra becomes

Breathing in, I am free.
Breathing out, I release suffering.

We are all in this together. Good luck!

The Buddhist Concept of Suffering

Four Noble Truths of Buddhism
by Ron Kurtus (revised 10 June 2017)

The basis of Buddhism is a doctrine known as the Four Noble Truths.

The First Truth is that all life is suffering, pain, and misery. The Second Truth is that this suffering is caused by selfish craving and personal desire. The Third Truth is that this selfish craving can be overcome. The Fourth Truth is that the way to overcome this misery is through the Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths is a fundamental concept taught by the Buddha.

Four Noble Truths

Suffering exists
Suffering arises from attachment to desires
Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

1. Suffering exists

The viewpoint is that life consists of suffering and dissatisfaction. This suffering is called dukkha. Human nature is imperfect, as is the world you live in. During your lifetime, you inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death. This is especially true for poor people. This means you are never able to keep permanently what you strive for. Happy moments pass by, and soon you will too.

2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires.

The cause of suffering is called samudaya or tanha. It is the desire to have and control things, such as craving of sensual pleasures. For example, if you desire fame and fortune, you will surely suffer disappointment and perhaps even cause suffering for others. Attachment to material things creates suffering because attachments are transient and loss is inevitable. Thus suffering will necessarily follow.

3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases

The end to suffering is called nirodha. It is achieving Nirvana, which is the final liberation of suffering. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving. It is attaining dispassion. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles and ideas. It is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.

4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path.

In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path. This liberation from suffering is what many people mean when they use the word “enlightenment.”
The path to the end of suffering is gradually seeking self-improvement through the eight elements. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance and other effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made through each lifetime.

Eightfold path

There are eight attitudes or paths you must follow to find freedom from suffering. These are the “right” or correct things to do in your life:
Right view
Right intention
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right concentration
This is the way to reach Nirvana.

Summary

The Four Noble Truths is the basis of Buddhism. The First Truth is that all life is suffering, pain, and misery. The Second Truth is that this suffering is caused by selfish craving and personal desire. The Third Truth is that this selfish craving can be overcome. The Fourth Truth is that the way to overcome this misery is through the Eightfold Path.

http://www.school-for-champions.com/religion/buddhism_four_noble_truths.htm#.WjaDDHqIbMK

 

Photo Credit: http://www.mitchmiles262.com/2016/12/smartphones-and-holiday-shopping/