Everything comes into being and then dissolves.
Whenever you encounter suffering in your life you don’t have to worry because nothing lasts forever. This suffering is not permanent. Facing your fears becomes easier because you begin to realize that fear too is temporary.
Every pain and discomfort become much less of an obstacle because you realize your time of suffering is limited.
You learn to be grateful for the little things because you look at them as if they are already over. Like a shiny new teacup that is already broken. Each joy in life, no matter how small, is a blessing.
When we waste our time longing for tomorrow we miss the beauty that could have been found in today.
Life’s fleeting moments, the little pleasures, a sunrise, a friendly dog begging for a belly rub, colorful fall leaves, and the smell of fresh spring flowers, become more valuable.
Anicca or impermanence is understood in Buddhism as the first of three marks of existence, the other two being dukkha (suffering, pain, unsatisfactoriness) and anatta (non-self, non-soul, no essence).[4][3][6] – found on Wikipedia
Buddhism acknowledges that life is full of suffering it confronts it as just another part of life.
The Four Noble Truths, one of Buddhism’s many lists, talks about suffering, and it causes (craving, thirst, & desire). Our constant seeking for something outside ourselves can never bring us joy. Suffering is inevitable but the pain is optional.
Luckily there is another list, The Eightfold Path, filled with detailed instructions on how to be free from life’s miseries. Like an eight-step program for getting your life on track.
The Eightfold Path is the fourth Truth of the Four Noble Truths. Very basically, the truths explain the nature of our dissatisfaction with life. The Buddha taught that we must thoroughly understand the causes of our unhappiness in order to resolve it.
– More about The Eightfold Path on About Religion
By following The Eightfold Path we learn how to end our suffering, by stopping the eternal cycle of clinging and craving.
When I first started studying Buddhism I tackled The Eightfold Path like a checklist, marking off each step one by one. I’m not perfect and there are still days when I make mistakes but now I have memorized this list (I found a neat cheat sheet here on BuddhaWeb.org).
These teachings have changed my life and in many ways, I am still changing. My person is transient like a river constantly washed clean by new wisdom and experiences – breathing in impermanence.
Thanks for this excellent piece! A great reminder for anyone practicing or a good overview for the curious that haven’t yet started practicing.
Since I started learning more and practicing the Dhamma everyday my life has taken a turn for the better. Sure, I’ve also accepted and acknowledged some personal issues, and dealt with them in other ways like therapy too, but the Buddhist values and simplicity in the mindfulness application of the Dhamma is what help me manage my depression on a daily basis. It’s made the difference between “understanding and acknowledging” – and “managing”.
I wrote a lot about it a show I apply these values everyday – here’s one post:
https://rebeckamisaksson.wordpress.com/2016/11/04/how-the-four-noble-truths-have-helped-me-change-my-life/
Thank you!
Thank you so much for the kind words and for adding a link to your own post. I appreciate the read and hope others will also have a look at your page. 🙂
That’s really cool you’re studying Buddhism.
Some of the things you said seem to also tie into the concept of mindfulness.
YES! Mindfulness is a very big part of my Buddhist practice. 😄
Thank you SO much for sharing! 🙂
Great post! I always enjoy your blog as a beacon of sunshine!
Wow, that is very sweet! Thank you so much! 🙂
Reblogged this on Matthew Killorin and commented:
Whatever your spiritual / philosophical beliefs, you can discover priceless nuggets of life-changing wisdom in Buddhist teachings.
Thanks to Neurodivergent Rebel for the thought-provoking post 🙂
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing!
My pleasure 🙂
I love this statement – “My person is transient like a river constantly washed clean by new wisdom and experiences “, I feel that I am constantly changing and expanding my wisdom and knowledge too! I have not heard of this Eightfold Path, but look forward to reading more about it, thanks for sharing! 🙂
such a wonderful aspiration!
may you neither
stay the same
nor change 🙂
Well said! Life will be heaven if everyone understands this truth.
This is fantastic stuff. Good work on this post
Even practising any religion is impermanent
I first studied Buddhism in college when I took a course called Buddhist Philosophy of India. It caused me cognitive dissonance because of the beliefs I’d inherited from my background. I did learn about the Eightfold Noble Path and the Four Noble Truths. And concepts of dukkha and the others. Then I did dialectical behavior therapy and learned about mindfulness apart from religion.
Agreed. Buddha was a yogi, as am I.
Thank you for sharing my post! 😀
Nice insights!
Loved this post 🌟🌟🌟
Thank you!