Suffering occurs from wanting life to be different than it is.

An introduction to the Fur Noble Truths

1. In life there is suffering

Universality of suffering means don’t take it personally when bad things happen

Suffering of suffering (pain): You buy your first car after saving up the money, but when you go to show your friends you get in a crash. You experience physical pain caused by the airbag.

Suffering of change: After the crash, you are disappointed you totaled your new car. You experience the suffering of change/ loss of your desired condition.

Pervasive suffering: Reflecting on the incident, you are bummed out. Working and saving to buy the car seems like a waste and you’re worried your friends are going to laugh that you crashed your car on the day you bought it. You feel like an idiot. This is the third type of pain that’s self inflicted based on your perception.

2. Craving is the cause of suffering

When we crave for life to be other than it is, we experience suffering

The three poisons (underpinnings of craving): Greed/ desire, Anger/ Aversion, and Ignorance/Delusion

All the suffering there is in this world arises from wishing ourselves to be happy, all the happiness there is in this world arises from wishing others to be happy.”

Shantideva

The Buddha didn’t teach to be apathetic to suffering, including that of others.

3. Suffering can be ended by ending craving

By knowing the universality of suffering, confronting our cravings, and being mindful of pervasive suffering, we can change our relationship with suffering in a positive way.

4. The path to end suffering

Accepting the way life is allows one to eliminate craving and perceive reality in a healthier way. Suffering occurs from wanting life to be different than it is.