8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 1 is…

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are well and enjoying this series of videos on foundational Buddhist teachings. The idea here is not to make you (or anyone) into “Buddhists” but to draw from this extraordinary wisdom what can be applied to your life.

In the last few weeks, we talked about the first three of the Four Noble Truths:

How to accept the unacceptable (Life is suffering)How to stop grasping (The cause of suffering)The secret of unhappiness (Is the cessation of suffering possible — yes, it is)

This week, we move on to the fourth noble truth which is The Noble Eightfold Path. It describes the eight steps we can take to realize what it means to stop suffering. Then we can help others to stop suffering in a more direct way.

The eight steps along the path are:

Right ViewRight IntentionRight SpeechRight ActionRight LivelihoodRight EffortRight MindfulnessRight Concentration

In this video I offer a brief overview of the eightfold path (and how it is organized according to three categories: ethical conduct, living a mindful life, and true wisdom). (Many numbers!) And then go on to discuss what is meant by Right View.

Next video: Right Intention!

Thoughts? Love to hear them.

Much love,

Susan

PS Our wonderful friend of the Open Heart Project, Marisa Viola, is teaching a meditation immersion retreat July 12-16 at Shantigar in beautiful Western Massachusetts. Can’t recommend Marisa highly enough so if you’re in New England, this is totally worth checking out. All the details are here.

The post 8 Steps to Stop Suffering: Step 1 is… appeared first on The Open Heart Project.