The First Noble Truth of suffering is a silver lining for healing. Suffering isn’t always a total drag. Really.

I showcase in this podcast a few examples I think you will relate to, to prove my point. It can be the silver lining if you know how to transform it. This week’s podcast is all about welcoming the suffering in a practical approach that includes an activity.

Table of Contents

• Podcast
• Background
• Overview
• Links/Sponsors

The First Noble Truth of Suffering

The podcast really doesn’t go into this at all, but rather suffering only, so I wanted to give some extra background here, in this post. The four Noble Truths are the fundamental teachings of Buddhism which spark awareness about suffering as a natural phenomenon and its cause. The truth is understood as the realization that led to the awakening of Buddha. First, Buddha is not a god or deity. He isn’t worshipped; he was a normal guy who was very self-aware. I think it’s important to understand some background before you listen to the podcast.

What is the first noble truth?

The first truth, the suffering (dukkha), describes existence in the realm of rebirth called samsara. This can be taken literally or symbolically, depending upon if you look through the eyes of secular versus religious Buddhism.

Dukkha means to struggle or truth; interesting that at the core of our truth, we have suffered, and to be honest with ourselves and others, we have to be able to express ourselves; which might lead to them suffering. An example might be that you request a boundary.

Life will continue to suffer even if we ignore the truth. We suffer less in truth. This sounds rather morose. The cessation of suffering is a goal, so there’s light at the end of the tunnel 🙂 The First Noble Truth discusses the cause of suffering because we have to explore the cause to release it; the truth is in the knowing.

The Noble Truth of Suffering

The Noble Truth of Suffering is quite a profound explanation of human struggle, gross and subtle. In regard to this ominous truth, we look at suffering like a surgeon who diagnoses and cures problems – and we explain why they exist and why they will be removed.

The Mahayana Path

Mahayana training is more of my training background; it is unique because its emphasis is developing great compassion. The studies followed by students are the Mahayana Sutra of Buddhism and the teachings by Buddha and other Buddhist teachers.

Although the Mahayana use physical discipline, they focus more on the development of the brain and body. When training pilots on the proper route, they can take their vehicles, language, and body on the proper path.

This is why my work involves a strong body-mind approach; you will notice that I include a strong physical component to everything. This podcast will explore an activity at the end of it for you to actively engage within.

This week’s links and sponsors are in the theme of water per the podcast activity

Open: Direct vs Indirect Suffering

2:38: Seeing suffering as it is, not as we feel it.

3:57: Support of prayer or meditation

5:00: Sweetness of life

6:40: What happens when we keep our suffering to ourselves

7:25: How we distract from suffering

10:00: Common problems (weight) that contribute to suffering and are from suffering.

13:00: What happens to you when you embrace suffering? What happens to the suffering?

14:20: A short guided activity to embrace suffering.