Taking another look at the "Four Noble Truths"
by Peter F. Theo

Four Basic Truths:

1. Truth of Pain & Suffering (Effect of Desires)
2. Truth of Desire (Cause of Pain and Suffering)
3. Cessation from Desire - (Comes from Awareness and Exercising Intention)
4. The Eight Fold Path to Enlightenment (Living in the Enlightened State)

It was said that after Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha his first sermon was about the Four Noble Truths. This event clarified the building blocks of the Buddha's message. In studying the Four Noble Truths, we see that its principles relate to the energetic flow of life itself (The Cause and Effect Cycle). When considering these principles along with what the Buddha calls the Three Marks of Existence, it provides a simplified road map for the conditions that surround our physical reality.

This can be looked at as the "Cause and Effect" equation that operates within our physical world. Awareness of this principle allows us to develop skills of mastery over this life equation. As we choose to utilize the fruit of our awareness within this equation, we have the ability to secede from its un-conscience grasp.

Why is this important? Because the simplicity expressed in this age old system promotes personal empowerment within our lives. This allows us the opportunity to transform ourselves from un-conscience victims of everyday life circumstances to conscience participants of our reality. If we are aware enough to see things in our life for exactly what they are and understand our power to affect them, then we have an expanded ability to make better decisions, which of course results in improved life conditions. From a western standpoint, we may say, "Ye shall reap what ye shall sow".

Another excellent example of this truth is expressed in the teachings of ancient Judaism. Principles of Kabalistic thinking, which happen to closely parallel our understanding of modern day physics, speak about this as the "Re-action vs. Pro-action" equation. In short, we may be completely unaware that we are blindly re-acting to all of life's circumstances, thus rendering ourselves powerless in every situation. In this state our mind believes that we have no ability to affect the result of any situation, we are victims of all external conditions (whether we know it or not). Or, if we are aware and choose to be pro-active in a disciplined manner about situations that arise, we then find that we have taken back our divine power to have a "say so" in the end result of the "Cause and Effect" equation. Even utilizing this concept on a casual level has the ability to create vast change within ones own life experience.

In closing, I would encourage all adventurous seekers of truth to dive deeper into the teachings espoused by Buddhism. I have found it helpful to look at Buddhism as a system of understanding life, which also provides options for empowerment and spiritual evolution within this system. Regardless of our chosen path, the master infrastructure that Buddhism is comprised of also appears to be cohesive with other major religions. I have met Catholics and Protestants alike that have actually said that studying the principles of Buddhism have made them more effective in serving within their own religious communities. Perhaps it seems that maybe after all there are many roads that lead us all to the same place.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Buddhism and may peace be with you.