Changing World – Part 3 of 4 – Soulfully Connecting

The Buddha’s Gifts

Gautam Siddhartha, otherwise known as The Buddha (the Enlightened One) gave the world two gifts;

The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths are (with some of my own commentary);

The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) is caused by the desire by people to find ultimate satisfaction from all physical phenomena. This includes material wealth (money and things), relationships with people and things, geographical location. Suffering is caused by not acknowledging that everything in the phenomenal world, the physical world, is temporary and impermanent.
The Truth of The Origin of Suffering is in craving and clinging to what is pleasurable, and the aversion to what is not pleasurable, without learning the lessons offered in this life. This has everything to do with Karma, Re-incarnation, in continuing the cycle of life and death.
The Truth of The Cessation of Suffering is in disallowing craving and clinging to pleasure. This naturally allows one to flow with life, and supports the fulfilment of the individual. The result is that the continuous cycle of birth and death no longer continues, and freedom from the shackles of physical existence results. This is worthy of far deeper discussion, because many do not understand the reality of death, and as a direct consequence do not know the reality of life either.
The Truth of The Path of Liberation from Suffering is possible by following the Noble Eightfold Path – namely, by behaving in a decent way, cultivating self-discipline (appropriate choice of thoughts, words and actions), practicing Mindfulness, and by Meditating. This can put an end to craving, clinging, not living in the now moment, and ending the cycle of birth and death. This results in a life of complete satisfaction, fullness, fulfilment, prosperous abundance, and joy. This is also worthy of deeper discussion, because few really understand the mechanics and attributes of Mindfulness, Meditation techniques, and any other technique and modality that may help the aspirant improve themselves and raise their consciousness (expanding their conscious awareness).

Eightfold Path

Right View: This pertains to perception and conscious awareness. The right view is not necessarily only your view, or only anyone else’s. It can be a mixture of everyone’s view (scientific evidence suggests that we are all interconnected). It is that which is for the highest good of everyone. It precludes being in judgement of another person or object. Maharishi Mahesh Yogia said: ‘Knowledge is Structured in Consciousness.” This means that as you raise your consciousness/expand your conscious awareness, your knowledge increases spontaneously!!!
Right Intention: Such is to be for your highest good, and for the highest good of everyone else, and our entire planet. This means that you are required to see as much of the Big Picture as you can. This is your responsibility. Find the means to achieve this. Meditation, Mindfulness, Positive Affirmations, Associating with Like- Minded/Hearted people are all good modalities to do so.
Right Speech: It is your responsibility to choose the words you utter. All spoken words are the result of your thoughts. Both of which are energy forms, which go out into your environment and have an impact. Be sure such impact is positive. Cease all gossiping, and use your thoughts and speech for the highest good. That means praising others, and encouraging others to do so by your example.
Right Action: All action will either be constructive or destructive. Make the positive choice, and let all your actions serve yourself and all others for the highest good.
Right Livelihood: Choose to perform your work according to what is your joy, and then it will no longer be work. Follow Your Bliss (Joseph Campbell)!
Right Effort: Let your effort be effortless, which means that you flow with Universal Creative Intelligence. This Universal, innate intelligence is your guide. Attune to it! I was told when I was young, to work hard, and if I did not succeed, to work even harder. This was poor advice, because I later learned that it was far better for me to ‘work smarter.’ This means to be mindful of Bio-Feedback from Universal Creative Intelligence (some call this God) and work within Natural/Universal Law. The result is to be able to operate with Universal Synchronicity. This is Smart. Intense effort is unnecessary!
Right Mindfulness: This is my favourite of all. Be aware of everything within you and without you. This takes practice, and is easily developed. Start with intent, and then go on walking meditations, whereby you choose to be aware (mindful) of sensations within and without your body, your thoughts and feelings. You can also do this in a sitting meditation (See Goenke’s Vipassana).
Right Concentration: I choose to regard this as putting my attention on something, with effort, as the act of concentration implies effort. When applying your attention to something, anything, do so with purposeful, unwavering, yet with gentle intent. I have been meditating with the Transcendental Meditation Technique since 1971, and was made a teacher of the technique by His Holiness Maharish Mahesh Yogi in 1976. I have also learned various other meditation techniques, purely for a comparison, while furthering my knowledge, and have remained with TM until today. Understanding the process and function of the mind, even in simplistic terms, will help you to understand the difference between concentration, day-dreaming, and cultivating the access to the Source of Thought. This is beyond the general understanding of concentration. You can read much more about this in my e-book, 53 Healing Techniques for Everyone, in the chapter on Meditation. For more information on this book, please visit my website.

Anthony Altman is an author of books on Self-Empowerment, Self-Help/Improvement and Self-Healing, and also provides lectures, workshops and seminars on these subjects. For further information and contact, please visit his website.