Samsara

This is an unsettling time for the human race. The entire world is waiting out a storm. Many of us have lost love ones to this terrible pandemic. With all of this suffering, it is hard to keep the mind from wandering into the desolate darkness.

Some people lean on faith in order to persevere. I grew up with Buddhists in my family and have always been curious about the Buddhist doctrine. The four noble truths are: existence is suffering, suffering has a cause, there is a cessation of suffering, and there is a path to the cessation of suffering. The Dalai Lama suggests intense, focused meditation is key to understanding the four noble truths and embarking on the path to nirvana. Only through persistent introspection and self-reflection, we are able to determine the root cause of our suffering and realize that, like all aspects of life, it will eventually fade into emptiness.

The dissolution of suffering gives way to a more pure state. However, the peace and tranquility of nirvana are difficult to sustain. We are bound to the cyclic existence of the universe known as samsara. Still, if only for a brief moment, we might be liberated from our afflictions. Samsara is a reminder to take a deep breath and believe in a brighter future.

Samsara