Check out this video next on dealing with stress: ruclips.net/video/61S8ZkpeCDQ/видео.html And join us on Patreon to get fun benefits like exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma
Oh, Doug! Early April 2020, there IS suffering, unsatisfactoriness, stress. Whatever. And we want things to be different. Has there ever been a time in our lives, when we have really wanted things to be different? Thank you, Doug. I wish you and our online sangha, good health, a roof over your head, and food on the table.
This video helped me realize that "suffering" is too intense of a translation for me. Sometimes the experience is subtle and I think "unsatisfactoriness" is better. Thank you for help :)
What an excellent video! I'm a big fan of actually trying to put the wisdom of the Buddha into one's ordinary life, and maybe even seeing life itself as a kind of guide? You've outlined some very empowering practices here. Thank you! 🙏🙏
@@DougsDharma Dukkha everywhere you look. The city I live in has increasing Covid; deaths running at 11%. Diabetes is endemic here. Thank you again for your much-needed talks.
Thanks Doug. I've read Stephen's books and have been struggling a bit to understand the "truths" as tasks. I understand this approach to the Buddha's earliest teachings a bit better now.
Glad to hear it Bob. Yes, I think it can be confusing sometimes because Stephen tends to describe these as mutually exclusive alternatives when they really aren't. One can understand them as truths *and* as tasks.
Back with you, Doug. Now 87 years old, somehow slipped past the pandemic. Interesting practice facing the dukkha of the end of life. But there seems to be no craving at this age Thank you, once again, for your teachings. I wish you and all, good health and an escape from whatever you consider suffering.
Thank you once again, Doug. The first time I've heard about the Four Noble Truths as Four Tasks was in a podcast in which Stephen Batchelor was interviewed by Sam Harris (it's in the Waking Up app). They went over some of the ethical and personal consequences of taking such approach, and I enjoyed it very much. After this video, I want to get in touch with what you think about this whole thing of taking these ideas in a more sophisticated way than merely considering them reveled truths. I'll do that by reading your paper on this issue. Congratulations on your great work here. Cheers from Brazil, Felipe
If you read four noble truths by Ajahn Sumedho he says there are 3 steps to do for each truth First see each truth as a statement Second investigate to understand it Third after 2 steps have been completed then the truth has been understood Apply these 3 steps for each truth
Hi Doug, I have a question concerning craving. Is all craving to be eliminated or are certain "cravings" (AKA things that one might want) welcome? For example, to be strictly buddhist here: Is wanting to be grateful and/or generous and compassionate a craving? Is wanting to follow the eightfold path and achieve nibbana a craving? Or in my case - to give you the reason this question came to me in the first place - is wanting to pursue a career in environmental protection a craving? As a purpose, it seems wholesome, but given that it is something that I explicitly desire to happen, should I view these ambitions of mine as something that needs to be eliminated, or to disattach myself from? Or is there a distinction between unwholesome/unwelcome and wholesome/welcome desires? Thank you for your wisdom. :)
Yes, there is definitely a distinction between wholesome and unwholesome desires. I have a couple of past videos that touch on these topics: Is desire the root of suffering? ruclips.net/video/VeShNoUXnxw/видео.html ; and Can bad thoughts be good for you? ruclips.net/video/ZTqibLMY1LM/видео.html
Well I'm not sure why you fall asleep in meditation. Perhaps you aren't sleeping enough hours at night? At any rate here is an earlier video on dealing with sleepiness: ruclips.net/video/dOIgI4kEZpU/видео.html
@@DougsDharma The first time I read the four noble truths was when I was 10-14 years old. I had no problems understanding it but an uncle (Jewish) wanted to make sure I understood it and explained to me that that word truth had a different meaning from usual. He explained it with the word task a true task; an important task to be done that brings the truth.
i really like the explanation and the video in general but i was wondering... i am very scared of loss and losing a loved one. it's so painful. so i guess my question is: how can me suffering from losing someone close to me, be good for me? how can it be "a teacher and lead me to better things"? that even sounds disrespectful to the dead to me. can it teach me let's say "i don't need my mom" or "i'm better off without her". grr... it's hard.
Important question onemonkeys. You certainly wouldn't want to be saying "I'm better off without her." It's not a wish to be without other things, it's a non-identification with them, a non-attachment to them. I have an earlier video on practicing non-attachment with those closest to us that might be helpful: ruclips.net/video/lAVfyW3S_dY/видео.html
Yes, we might think so, but there are some interesting suttas that suggest that's not always the case. I did an earlier video on this topic: ruclips.net/video/ZTqibLMY1LM/видео.html
The Buddha is not indicating that all kinds of craving (tanha) lead to dissatisfaction. Only three kinds of craving do: kama, bhava and vibhava tanha. I write them in Pali because most words have multiple meaning according to their context. But, in general, sensual (wanting something from the senses) desires and egotic (coming from an idea of a permanent, fixed and essencial self) desires are what perpetuate the cycle of unsatisfactoriness. Kind regards!
I think there are two sorts of cravings and it's important to differ between them. A) cravings, like "my body needs this", like wisdom to grow. curiosity can be a craving, but it's not necessarily bad. B) cravings "i want more more more". identify the second and stop it. enjoy the moment.
Check out this video next on dealing with stress: ruclips.net/video/61S8ZkpeCDQ/видео.html
And join us on Patreon to get fun benefits like exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma
May your Dharma activities benefits to all sentient beings. 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks very much Konchok Namgyal! May yours as well! 🙏
Thanks Doug, for shining a light on The Four Noble Truths. Sometimes we need a reminder about them..
You're very welcome John. Yes, we all need those reminders.
Oh, Doug! Early April 2020, there IS suffering, unsatisfactoriness, stress. Whatever. And we want things to be different. Has there ever been a time in our lives, when we have really wanted things to be different? Thank you, Doug. I wish you and our online sangha, good health, a roof over your head, and food on the table.
You as well Sid in these unstable times that so well signify saṁsāra!
Thanks doug, i really love ur explanations.. may u be well and happy...🙏
You are very welcome candra. May you be well and happy too! 🙏
This video helped me realize that "suffering" is too intense of a translation for me. Sometimes the experience is subtle and I think "unsatisfactoriness" is better. Thank you for help :)
Yes I think that's right Sheep Music. You're very welcome!
I've often found the word 'unease' useful.
What an excellent video! I'm a big fan of actually trying to put the wisdom of the Buddha into one's ordinary life, and maybe even seeing life itself as a kind of guide? You've outlined some very empowering practices here. Thank you! 🙏🙏
Great, glad you enjoyed! 🙏😊
Back with this talk in June 2020. Needed it badly, because I want things to be different than they are. Thank you again, Doug. Stay well.
Yes, I think many of us are of the same mind. That's the First Noble Truth for you!
@@DougsDharma Dukkha everywhere you look. The city I live in has increasing Covid; deaths running at 11%. Diabetes is endemic here. Thank you again for your much-needed talks.
Thanks Doug. I've read Stephen's books and have been struggling a bit to understand the "truths" as tasks. I understand this approach to the Buddha's earliest teachings a bit better now.
Glad to hear it Bob. Yes, I think it can be confusing sometimes because Stephen tends to describe these as mutually exclusive alternatives when they really aren't. One can understand them as truths *and* as tasks.
Thank you from a different place. So appreciate your talks about basic Buddhism.
Glad to hear it S. Hurd! Yes, I try to give talks at all levels.
Back with you, Doug. Now 87 years old, somehow slipped past the pandemic.
Interesting practice facing the dukkha of the end of life. But there seems to be no craving at this age
Thank you, once again, for your teachings.
I wish you and all, good health and an escape from whatever you consider suffering.
This video has helped me deal more skillfully with the death of a close friend. Thank you, Doug!
That's wonderful to hear Robin, you're very welcome. 🙏
Thank you once again, Doug. The first time I've heard about the Four Noble Truths as Four Tasks was in a podcast in which Stephen Batchelor was interviewed by Sam Harris (it's in the Waking Up app). They went over some of the ethical and personal consequences of taking such approach, and I enjoyed it very much. After this video, I want to get in touch with what you think about this whole thing of taking these ideas in a more sophisticated way than merely considering them reveled truths. I'll do that by reading your paper on this issue. Congratulations on your great work here.
Cheers from Brazil,
Felipe
Wonderful, thanks Felipe! 🙏
If you read four noble truths by Ajahn Sumedho he says there are 3 steps to do for each truth
First see each truth as a statement
Second investigate to understand it
Third after 2 steps have been completed then the truth has been understood
Apply these 3 steps for each truth
Another amazing video 🌟 thank you!
You’re very welcome cspy! Thanks for the comment! 🙂
This video is truly a gem 💎
Very kind of you to say ADanyaD, thanks!
Thank you
Thanks from italy
You're very welcome Nico, stay safe and healthy!
Hi Doug,
I have a question concerning craving. Is all craving to be eliminated or are certain "cravings" (AKA things that one might want) welcome? For example, to be strictly buddhist here: Is wanting to be grateful and/or generous and compassionate a craving? Is wanting to follow the eightfold path and achieve nibbana a craving? Or in my case - to give you the reason this question came to me in the first place - is wanting to pursue a career in environmental protection a craving? As a purpose, it seems wholesome, but given that it is something that I explicitly desire to happen, should I view these ambitions of mine as something that needs to be eliminated, or to disattach myself from? Or is there a distinction between unwholesome/unwelcome and wholesome/welcome desires?
Thank you for your wisdom. :)
Yes, there is definitely a distinction between wholesome and unwholesome desires. I have a couple of past videos that touch on these topics: Is desire the root of suffering? ruclips.net/video/VeShNoUXnxw/видео.html ; and Can bad thoughts be good for you? ruclips.net/video/ZTqibLMY1LM/видео.html
This video has been very helpful
Glad to hear it Josephine, thanks!
Thanks again. I have a question if you don't mind:
Why I fall asleep during meditation and how to prevent that?
Well I'm not sure why you fall asleep in meditation. Perhaps you aren't sleeping enough hours at night? At any rate here is an earlier video on dealing with sleepiness: ruclips.net/video/dOIgI4kEZpU/видео.html
Thank you. I watched it and came to the conclusion that my sleep hours aren't enough
Sleep is very important! So many of us don’t get enough of it. Take care of yourself! 🙏
Task is a better translation, thank you
Yes it does capture a central aspect.
@@DougsDharma The first time I read the four noble truths was when I was 10-14 years old.
I had no problems understanding it but an uncle (Jewish) wanted to make sure I understood it and explained to me that that word truth had a different meaning from usual.
He explained it with the word task a true task; an important task to be done that brings the truth.
i really like the explanation and the video in general but i was wondering... i am very scared of loss and losing a loved one. it's so painful. so i guess my question is: how can me suffering from losing someone close to me, be good for me? how can it be "a teacher and lead me to better things"? that even sounds disrespectful to the dead to me. can it teach me let's say "i don't need my mom" or "i'm better off without her". grr... it's hard.
Important question onemonkeys. You certainly wouldn't want to be saying "I'm better off without her." It's not a wish to be without other things, it's a non-identification with them, a non-attachment to them. I have an earlier video on practicing non-attachment with those closest to us that might be helpful: ruclips.net/video/lAVfyW3S_dY/видео.html
You sound like Sachaka
Isn’t craving to extinguish craving like trying to put out a fire with fire?
Yes, we might think so, but there are some interesting suttas that suggest that's not always the case. I did an earlier video on this topic: ruclips.net/video/ZTqibLMY1LM/видео.html
The Buddha is not indicating that all kinds of craving (tanha) lead to dissatisfaction. Only three kinds of craving do: kama, bhava and vibhava tanha. I write them in Pali because most words have multiple meaning according to their context. But, in general, sensual (wanting something from the senses) desires and egotic (coming from an idea of a permanent, fixed and essencial self) desires are what perpetuate the cycle of unsatisfactoriness.
Kind regards!
I think there are two sorts of cravings and it's important to differ between them.
A) cravings, like "my body needs this", like wisdom to grow. curiosity can be a craving, but it's not necessarily bad.
B) cravings "i want more more more". identify the second and stop it. enjoy the moment.
Additionally, I take "to fully understand suffering" to mean to fully understand the 5 aggregates as suffering by practicing satipatthana.
Yes, that makes a lot of sense pamokkha. Thanks.