Buddha's Four Noble Truths
idam dukkham, "this is pain"
ayam dukkha-samudayo, "this is the origin of pain"
ayam dukkha-nirodha, "this is the cessation of pain"
ayam dukkha-nirodha-gamini patipada, "this is the path leading to the cessation of pain." The key terms in the longer version > of this expression, dukkha-nirodha-gamini Patipada, can be translated as follows:
Gamini: leading to, making for[web 13]
Patipada: road, path, way; the means of reaching a goal or destination[web 14]
Or more simply:
Life is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving, desire or preference
We can control our suffering through controlling our need for desire much of this is due to ego
There is a path from suffering - All paths lead up the mountain
It seems that it can be expressed very simply as in:
*photo credit Guardado desde, lh5.googleusercontent.com
We don't get happy from external things. We are happy because we enable ourselves to make the conscious choice that we are happy. To foster this take practice that practice is the path that the Buddha talks about. One method might be
- When you notice that you are happy concentrate on the how you feel physically. Note where in your body that the sensations arise from.
- Experiment with creating those feelings often soon you will be able to manifest the physical sensation of being happy.
- Consistently do this practice with persistent intent
- Detach yourself from your own, "story and drama"
- Just be happy.