The Buddha's Teachings from 11,000 Feet
Written by John Allcock
The expression "from 30,000 feet" typically refers to looking at something from a high level perspective (like from an airplane) so that you can more clearly see the big picture. This is the first in a series of posts about the Buddha's teachings, written from here in Mammoth--from 11,000 feet. Hopefully you will find the posts to be clear, simple, practical, and most importantly useful to freeing yourself from the stress and suffering humans inevitably encounter in their daily lives.
The Buddha famously said " I teach one thing--suffering and the freedom from suffering." By "suffering" he meant the day to day worries and stress that come with a human life (troubles with the boss, the neighbor, our bills, our spouse or partner) and also the more tragic, weighty events inevitably encountered in life (death of a loved one, sickness, old age, our own death). He taught that moment to moment peace, and even happiness, was possible despite those challenging external conditions. His teachings were not directed to fixing the world outside, or changing it, but by changing our approach to life.
He started teaching 2500 years ago in a remote corner of what is now India, and the power of what he taught was so great that it has spread, organically, to every corner of the world, and is practiced by over 500,000,000 people.
He taught that freedom from suffering can be realized with our own human abilities and capacities. His teachings do not rely on the proclamations of any deity, or gods, or any powers beyond what is within our life experience. In this sense the Buddha's teachings are not a religion, but instead as the Dali Lama has said are "A science of the mind."
Moreover his approach does not rely on any super powers or supernatural abilities. He never claimed to have any special powers, or access to capabilities, which were beyond those of the ordinary person--you and me. Indeed when asked if he were a god, or had any special powers, he responded by saying "I am merely awakened"--which is what the moniker "The Buddha" means, The Awakened One.
He taught anyone can free themselves from suffering, and his teachings can be characterized in 3 areas--
Perspectives on life, and on the human condition, which if adopted will ease your stress and suffering. Not surprisingly, these are different, in some cases radically different, from the perspectives which our Western tradition has inculcated in most of us.
Principles which are his suggestions to guide our intentions, thoughts and actions, all directed to relieving our suffering. Indeed if followed, the principles not only create conditions for relief from stress, but they promote our moment to moment happiness. These principles are not blind beliefs to be followed--indeed the Buddha taught to not believe anything he said if it is not proven with your own experience. Rather they are hypothesis about the true nature reality and suggestions as to how to approach living in it, which if correct will promote our moment to moment happiness.
Practices or trainings, all of the mind (and body), which allow us to appreciate and more deeply understand the perspectives and principles, and also are a path to freedom from suffering in and of themselves. These are meditative trainings, including mindfulness, concentration, and practices to choose wisely actions which free us from suffering, and equally importantly to follow through consistently on those choices.
So as you can see, his approach involves changing things within our control, not the uncontrollable (which is the way most of us raised in the West approach our problems.)
If you are interested in learning about this approach, from 11,000 feet, read this blog and consider coming to sessions on the Buddha's teachings with a guided meditation on Friday night at 600 pm at Yoga Mammoth.