Friday, April 8, 2016

Dukkha (Suffering)

I'm taking a college course right now (Buddhism and Modern Psychology) and loving it! It is fascinating how close the Buddha was to explaining the drives/desires/sufferings of man.

Part of my test was to write an essay regarding human suffering...I thought it might make an excellent blog.
 
Question 1: The Buddha offers a specific diagnosis of the suffering that is part of human existence. Explain the Buddha's diagnosis. Does this diagnosis ring true to you, or has the Buddha ignored some aspect of human life, or made some other mistake? Offer two specific reasons or experiences that support your answer, and explain how they support it.

 Buddhism and Human Suffering
The word “Dukkha” is used by the Buddha with regard to human suffering.  Dukkha is a cognitive conundrum for all conscious creatures. It’s the neurological conflict between intense cravings, and our inability to satiate those cravings. Though satisfaction may occur, it is only for a fleeting moment, and then another need arises.

Buddha referred to the cravings/needs cycle as “attachment”.  In psychology, this is known as the hedonic treadmill.

If peace is what we desire, detachment from “things” is required.
We are all fighting a neurological battle that has been forged by millions of years of natural selection. Our brain was hardwired in a much different world; food was scarce, safety was a concern, and reproduction was a must.

The drive for Survival and reproduction is ironically dependent on human suffering.  Because we suffer, we are never satisfied.  Because we are never satisfied, we stay motivated to survive and reproduce.
I believe the diagnosis is right on because it is supported by evolutionary biology.  The Buddha basically predicted what science has confirmed.

For example:
In my younger years, my expectations were unrealistic. I thought that buying_____ would make a long term difference in my state of mind. The reality showed me otherwise…the short term excitement (dopamine) was fleeting. It was at that point I realized that we always come back to a certain level of consciousness. (I.e. sad, up/down, content)                                                                                                                                                    

As Buddha pointed out...”If you’re not happy without, you won’t be happy with”
Owning a business has also taught me that suffering is necessary until “I” decide it’s not necessary. Becoming angry because someone didn’t show up to work only hurts me.  What’s happened has happened, and no amount of anger is going to change the present moment. The instant I become aware of this fact, suffering is no longer an issue.

The awareness of suffering is the recognition of primordial cravings in a modern world that has been created by natural selection. Dukkha is and will always be a cognitive conundrum for all conscious creatures.

Hence, the wisdom of Buddha and the irony of evolution.