So far, this blog has only investigated Western philosophy. That’s not been intentional, but has been a product of me discussing readings that I did in early sobriety that helped me through that period of my life. Recently, though, I was reading a different text and it referenced The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. I found them to be remarkably applicable to both the Stoic readings I have discussed previously here and also to precepts of recovery from alcoholism and addiction.
As a disclaimer, I aim to keep my writing more or less free of discussion of religion and religious values. By way of background, I have always considered myself a Christian, but I am not a regular church-attendee by any means. As trite as it may sound, I count myself among those who consider themselves more spiritual than religious. So, this or any other entry should not be seen as an endorsement of one set of beliefs over another, but instead should be regarded as I intend, which is application of philosophical principles to sobriety—nothing more.
For those, like me, who need a refresher on Buddha, he was a man who lived in the 6th or 5th century BC, making him the earliest thinker whose works are described on this website to date. The story goes, at around age 35, he sat under a tree and meditated, achieving enlightenment. (This is a highly abridged recitation).
He completed his meditation and developed what became known as The Four Noble Truths. They are:
1. Life is suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by craving.
3. Suffering can end when craving ends.
4. There is a path that leads to the end of suffering.
Seeing those Four Noble Truths recited in the text I was reading, I was struck by its similarity both to Stoic principles and also the core tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous. Regarding Stoicism, the Stoics taught also that it was the hankering for more rather than the satisfaction of what one already had that led to unhappiness. That’s very similar to the first and second Noble Truths. Both Stoicism and the third principle suggest that the elimination of want or craving is a way to obtain contentment. The Fourth Noble Truth that there is a path that leads to the end of suffering reminds me very much of Chapter 2 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, titled “There is a Solution.”
It seems to me that all three schools of thought identify the disorder associated with unnatural craving and that the elimination of that is a way to live in harmony with oneself and nature. This blog has investigated and will continue to discuss the manner in which individuals can obtain that balance and harmony through self-discipline and cognitive training. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous famously uses the 12 steps as a way to obtain the freedom from the craving of alcohol.
The ”path” described in the Fourth Noble Truth is further described as “The Noble Eightfold Path,” which are practices that are meant to be applied to daily life that lead away from the suffering described in The First Noble Truth. They are:
Right view
Right resolve
Right speech
Right conduct/action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right concentration
These eight manners of conduct are similar to my instruction in AA that I am responsible for right thoughts, right deeds, and right words. My program has helped me to understand the importance of taking my own inventory on a daily basis and assessing where I have fallen short with respect to these practices and making amends, where necessary, to address any harm that I have caused. While AA itself is a 100 year-old philosophy catered toward deliverance from alcohol addiction, its principles have been revered for literally thousands of years by western and eastern scholars as the framework for living in harmony with nature, achieving balance with oneself, and the deliverance from suffering.
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