Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are stated in simple terms as:
- Suffering, pain, and misery exist in life
- Suffering arises from attachment to desires
- Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
- Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path
Having vision, some foresight in to the desires of tomorrow are really just a matter of reasonableness and planning. There isn’t, after all, any reason two people “can’t” fall in love, merely a matter of doing it. When it comes to true love, there is a compulsion – an unquenchable desire. In ignoring it you would only invite disaster or remorse into your life … so you simply can’t ignore or run from true love. You can prepare for it. You can work to make it the best of life, you can minimize the pain, suffering and disappointment the Buddhist declares in the First of the Noble Truths. It is important to accept and appreciate that the suffering of a true love will never cease – there in lies the beauty, the truth and the nature of true love.
“Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
Wesley – Princess Bride
Life is pain, love is pain, nothing is perfect, but everything is beautiful. Anything worth having is worth working for. Happiness in life is no exception. If you want something badly enough (happiness, true love, a family) then you will do whatever it takes to get it. Nothing can ever stop you from doing anything in your power to achieve that. If you consider something worth having, it is of course worth fighting for. Simplicity has a beauty within itself, even if imperfect. Recognizing the imperfection as the beauty, the pain and suffering for what it is, both the cause and result of beauty. It is a matter of value, a matter of worth having. Having God and and some healthy habits in your life can and will add value in-spite of the pains of life – making them mutable, tolerant and even inconsequential.
Regardless of the relationship these 10 Habits For A Healthy Marriage are doable for anyone … even between friends (with the exception of #2). When she sent this to me it inspired me, being a person that likes to plan. Granted I’ve always been a spontaneous person living life and making decisions on the fly, but this idea of a checklist would serve as an awesome reminder to always be purpose driven at serving our true love. Knowing the point of view of where you’ve struggled in the past, of small things that have come to matter the most often are the things we take for granted in hindsight.
She opens my eyes to past short comings, to things not necessarily realized or acknowledged for the value that they are and the weight of their worth. This insight and communication she brings has great intention that really is simple to in act – to give, as well as lovingly receive. Some of these we overlook and take for granted.
Her words recorded here will serve as an echo for me to always remember the small things, the “loving” things. The “10 Habits For A Healthy Marriage” are about to be customized and expanded. Something we can work towards given we can not ignore or run from this love of ours. I feel sorry for the Buddhist, perhaps it isn’t necessary for the “attachment of desire to cease” to reach Nirvana. In spite of the pain, disappointment and suffering of life there is a freedom, an unspeakable freedom – incomprehensible for those who have not experienced and held in true love.
Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles and ideas. It is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it. This isn’t to say any relationship shouldn’t heed the path of the Buddhist:
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.
As for this day, “good night babe. I’ll be here when you wake – be it at a temporary distance.” 114 days till Ascension Day, the day Christ physically ascended into heaven, the day our love begins its physical rise from the ashes, reconstituted as a Phoenix of true love. May it forever stretch it’s wings towards Nirvana. Our Nirvana as one.