Indexed Notes by Topic
Four Noble Truths
Definition: (1) Life is suffering (dukkha); (2) the cause of suffering is craving, desire, and attachment to worldly things; (3) suffering can be eliminated by eliminating these causes; (4) the way to eliminate suffering is by following the Eightfold Path, magga.
Insights:
- The release of suffering is not from renouncing things in the world, but releasing from attachment to those things.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Quotes:
"While washing the dishes, one should only be washing the dishes, which means that while washing the dishes one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing the dishes."- Thich Nhat Hanh
"Each mindful breath, each mindful step, reminds us that we are alive on this beautiful planet... We don't need anything else. It is wonderful enough just to be alive, to breathe in, and to make one step."- Thich Nhat Hanh
Insights:
- Satisfaction does not come from chasing bigger and bigger things, rather by paying attention to smaller and smaller things.
- By thinking about the past or future we are not alive in the present moment.