The four noble truths and the path to eliminating suffering

Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths as taught by Buddhism characterize human life universally. No human being, however healthy or however wealthy, is free from suffering or from desire. According to Buddhist teacher Ajahn Sumedho, "suffering or dukkha is the common bond we all share," ("The First Noble Truth"). Far from being a pessimistic negation of the value of human life, the first noble truth invites the individual to explore the origins of psychic pain and work to dispel them. The remaining three Noble Truths offer a deceptively simple yet highly logical philosophy: desire causes suffering, suffering can be eliminated by eliminating desire, and that the elimination of desire can flow from following the Eightfold Path as outlined in Buddhist scripture.

Desire causes suffering in the most mundane ways. As soon as I start desiring cookies or other junk food, I become restless, anxious, and filled with a sense of craving. Similarly, if I feel that my house is too small or that I want a new car, I create an atmosphere of materialistic craving that automatically entails psychological and spiritual suffering. If I long for a lost flame or wish I had a better lover then I am also suffering from my incessant desires. The times I am most content and farthest from suffering are usually when I desire nothing. Ironically, the times when I desire nothing are often times I possess very little: such as when lying on the beach.