And yet, in recent news, I read:
Celebrity Fitness Trainer Amanda 'Mandy' Blank Suddenly Dies at 42
Yes, this health-conscious woman of only 42, who once said: “Without my health and fitness, I have nothing....” was found dead in her Los Angeles home.
Watch what you say, watch what you say.
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I thought I would talk with you today about the Four Noble Truths. If you are like me, you don't get it. And so, let's look at them again:
They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
That's easy, isn't it?
No.
How about this:
Everything is suffering
The origin of suffering is desire
There exists Nirvana, an end to suffering
A path, defined by the Buddha, leads to Nirvana.
Now, isn't that better?
A story is told of a traveler, impressed by his peaceful presence, who inquired: 'Are you a god?'
'No," the Buddha replied, 'I am not a god.'
'A spirit, then?'
'No, I am not a spirit.'
'Are yo a man?'
'No, I am not a man.'
'Then what are you?'
'I am awake.'
A Buddha is 'awake' to the true nature of existence and thereby free of its sufferings -- and the purpose of Buddhist teachings and art is to point the way to awakening for all.
