Around a year ago or so, I had a falling out with one of my close friends, and during that time I impulsively vented out to my best friend. I told him about everything that bothered me about her and how I was glad that we were about to go to college and eventually separate ties with her. In the moment, it felt satisfying to let out all the bitterness inside me. Nonetheless, talking trash about her had only created more suffering, since it caused me to be even more upset by continuing to dwell on it. If I had chosen to let go of my resentment of the past, I wouldn’t have wasted my time and energy self inflicting more hatred inside me.

Though suffering is seemingly inevitable, the third and fourth noble truths have claimed to prove otherwise. By following the eightfold path, the Buddha insists that “cessation of suffering is attainable” (p.457). Virtue and cessation of suffering go hand in hand, since suffering will continue to persist without the former. Living virtuously allows us to discipline ourselves from indulging in simple pleasures—which can leave us feeling empty, and thus end up seeking out for more. This, as Buddha claims, is the root of all suffering, our craving for impermanent objects. By acknowledging this suffering, and detaching ourselves from these unnecessary objects, we’ll begin to obtain peace within ourselves. 

Through enlightenment, people are able to focus on themselves by improving their mindset and behavior. As Rahula explains the approach, “It is a Path leading to the realization of Ultimate Reality, to complete freedom, happiness, and peace through moral, spiritual, and intellectual perfection” (Paragraph 24). By focusing on these three core aspects of yourself—rather than materialistic objects—will enable you to seek full awareness and serenity. Consequently, attaining these will then cease you from suffering, since you fully accept that unfavorable events are imminent. These virtues allow people to acknowledge that self development through purification is necessary, being that we’ll never be truly satisfied unless we seek satisfaction within ourselves. 

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