Finding inspiration on days you feel like quitting: A Buddhist Perspective

To be happy now, is to be happy later.

Now more than ever many of us face challenges adapting to the unique social predicaments placed on us by the coronavirus pandemic. It is during these challenging times that we can reflect on these experiences using a Buddhist lens. One of the foundational teachings of the Buddha is The Four Noble Truths.

1. Dukkha - suffering, incapable of satisfying, painful --> The world is filled with suffering, or life is suffering.

2. Samudaya - origin, arising is tanha (craving, desire or attachment) --> The cause of this suffering is attachment.

3. Nirodha - cessation, ending --> There is a resolution. Ending this suffering can be attained through renouncing or letting go of tanha. To end suffering is to let go of your attachments.

4. Magga - path, Noble Eightfold Path --> The way to let go of your attachments is by following the eightfold noble path.

Many of us may can understand these truths at face values, some recited these truths for years and believed to have understood the meaning of these truths, but this suffering has never manifested as it has now. The current experience of living through a pandemic has caused suffering for many of us: we are unable to see loved ones, go out to restaurants and experience life “normally.” The four noble truths provide a lens for us to navigate these circumstances of life.

There are many who would consider this limited social interaction to be a form of dukkha or suffering. Online, virtual or even social distanced engagements do not fully satisfy our craving to spend time with others. While the time spent is genuine, it can feel like a “false interaction.”

This feeling is created by our expectations based on our previous interactions. Our attachments, or in this case expectations, take away from the experience that we are able to engage in. By comparing our current interactions to those that occurred before, we create this feeling of loss.

Despite these feelings, we know that there is a way to overcome these feelings and that is through the guidance of the eightfold noble path. In my interpretation of the eightfold noble path, at its core, it compels us to live with sincere and deep gratitude. The eightfold noble path is as follows:

Right View - to view the world and its inhabitants with kindness and open mindedness

Right Thought - to perceive the world and its inhabitants without judgement or harshness

Right Speech - to speak with sincerity and kindness

Right Conduct - to act with compassion, empathy and righteousness

Right Livelihood - to emit and energy that is empowering to yourself and others

Right Effort - to act in earnest and with intention

Right Mindfulness - to be aware of your existence in this world and the two facts of this world (interdependence and impermanence)

Right Meditation - to reflect and constantly evaluate the purpose of your existence

To live a peaceful life is to embrace the realities of this world and navigate them with grace and honesty. You cannot control the actions of others and there are external circumstances that you cannot control, but your response, mindset and impact on others are tools to extend kindness and peace towards yourself and others.