Buddhism - Ricki Uselton

What is the human condition

Buddhism is a very broad religion. The human condition exemplifies the path of enlightenment. Buddhism is a religion that comes from a reality point of view. They believe that life has no point to it, that we are not working towards anything, but to fulfill our self needs, and once we have figured this out we have reached enlightenment. The human condition is that we have no internal soul, but instead we are made up of moods and thoughts, also called the 5 heaps. The five heaps include: materiality, sensation, perception, moods, and thoughts. 

What is the solution to this condition?

The solution would be to understand the four noble truths which explain that life inevitably leads to suffering, and that suffering is caused by craving, and the suffering ends when the craving subsides which then achieves liberation through the use of the 8 fold path that was set out to achieve nirvana by buddha himself. By using the 8 fold path we can eliminate any negativity from ourselves and find a path that will satisfy our lives. 

How do we move from problem to solution?

Once we have realized that life will involve suffering we must be liberated and begin practicing this 8 fold path to relieve any suffering of the mind and body. The 8 fold path consists of Intent, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration. By following this path and eliminating the bad, we can eliminate any negativity and learn from these. By using intent, and speech we can grow through wisdom, by using conduct and livelihood we can learn about out bodies and how to take care of them. By using mindfulness and concentration we can focus on the end of our sufferings so we can feel peaceful. We can practice these in our every day life by devotional practices that consist of chanting and offers, and by meditating through yoga. These meditations can make us more at peace with the world and more assured in our daily routine. 

How best to live the solution in our own lives?

The best way to apply the solution to our lives to maintain a easy heart and to not worry too much about life. We should not strive to much for anything and realize that there is nothing we are working towards but the end. We should learn to live our life the way we want to live instead of striving for perfection because we will never be able to achieve it. By letting go and realizing the life has no point, but being alive, we can allow ourselves to be at peace and learn to feel more instead of rushing. One thing we can also learn is to be more peaceful by adding meditation so that we can feel more enlightened and one with this world.

The only thing I did not personally agree with in this religion is that there is no reason to worry about the end, I believe there is something out there and our spirits will go on to some other place. I do believe that meditating can be peaceful for the soul and it’s something I’m looking forward to starting soon.