How to apply the four noble truths to a better life

What are the Four Noble Truths? In short, they represent the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, which liberates people from suffering. These four truths can be summarized as follows:

1. Life still contains suffering and struggle

Life is associated with struggle, disappointment and suffering, both in form and in the minority. Even when things seem peaceful outside, we do not feel constant satisfaction in everything, but we can feel the undercurrent of internal anxiety and uncertainty. This is an inherent problem of existence.

2. Thirst is the cause of suffering

The cause of suffering is desire, which results from ignorance. We suffer because we tend to blame our difficulties for things outside of ourselves. We resist the truth that life is impermanent, and change is constant — instead, we get upset when the world does not have what we think and life does not meet our expectations. We are trying to push away some things, while also rejoicing in others. This process of attachment and resistance stems from our striving for life to be different from what it is, and causes suffering.

3. Suffering when the end expires

Because we are absolutely those who cause our own suffering, perpetuating the cycle of thrust and resistance, we also have the right to end our suffering. Even when life is unpredictable and unstable, we can change the way we respond to it. By waking up to the true nature of our timeless souls, we can put an end to the pursuit of external satisfaction and constancy, and therefore end suffering. In the awakened mind, it is not suffering that is stopped, but craving.

4. There is a Path out of suffering

Entering the path of the right way of life, we can awaken to our higher nature. This path includes the ethical life, the development of wisdom and discernment, and the observance of personal practice that supports our emerging consciousness. This personal journey of awakening frees us from suffering and leads extremely to enlightenment.

Most of us struggle with the practical application of these Four Noble Truths. Our human tendency is to avoid all pain and suffering that only perpetuates our struggle.

Instead, I suggest that we consider the Four Noble Truths as recommendations for proper living; to help us more effectively solve the challenges of life. By presenting the Four Noble Truths as practical guidelines for life, they become powerful tools for guiding our responses to life.

Practical application with AREA

I suggest using an abbreviation AREA to remember the structure of the Four Noble Truths in practical ways: Accept life as it is, release reactivity, complete the setting and act properly.

When we respond accordingly to these Four Noble Truths, they will truly expand our inner region of space and peace and greatly expand the realm or sphere of our True nature.

1. Take Life as It Is

When we allow conscious awareness to fill everything that we do, we become more tolerant. We no longer interpret everything that does not come to us as a personalized attack on our ego; instead, we recognize it as just part of life. When we fail, we can see it as an opportunity for learning and growth; and not as something unfair to be judged or avoided.

The “Miracles” course says that it is a meaning or an interpretation that we give to things, which makes them seemingly good or bad; in truth it's simple is part of life The impoverishment of the very impermanence of life can contribute to our deaf appreciation of the fleeting and precious nature of each moment.

2. Release Reactivity

Human neuroscience practically does not allow us to consistently maintain a state of internal balance without spiritual awareness. Our feelings constantly provide feedback through physical symptoms, emotions, thoughts and feelings. Equilibrium requires our reactivity in a different way: learning how to react, not react. We stop the reactivity cycle, realizing that sensory feedback loops are valuable messages to answer; not intervening to react, judge, resist or avoid.

When we experience physical symptoms or pain, our innate response may prompt us either to withstand the symptoms with medication or to forgive for some miraculous cure outside of ourselves. Instead, it might be more meaningful to have a first symptom dialogue for an in-depth understanding of what they are trying to tell us; and as soon as we understand the deeper message, we will be able to respond accordingly so that the messenger can be released. This process of reaction instead of reaction allows us to create more internal space for growth in consciousness.

3. End grasping

It is necessary to learn to respond to life difficulties with an open mind, free from conditioned behavior of judgment, fear or craving. This inner relation of non-attachment frees us from endless cycles of attachment and aversion to offer us true freedom and inner peace instead. Sedona's method puts it like this: "Embrace what you resist, and surrender what you cling to."

Giving up our positioning rewards us with freedom from thirst. Positions are, in essence, nothing more than studied behavior and limiting beliefs; therefore, abandoning them really opens up a space for us to prosper.

4. Act properly

In shamanistic traditions, the corresponding actions are called "Live right". Appropriate actions require the conscious awareness of our inner motives, beliefs and reactions. This brings up the development of the observer / witness or our Soul. He is in agreement with this Higher aspect of being that we transform in order to live from our full potential.

The more we correct our responses to life, we appropriately reflect our higher nature, the more inner freedom, peace and joy we experience. This is the core of all personal growth. Creating the path of proper action feeds us at all levels and honors our true purpose in life — the embodiment of our Higher nature.

Using AREA can serve as a practical reminder to support us in accordance with the four noble truths. The result is more inner peace, harmony and joy.