#8: Buddhism and Stress

What is Nirvana when we are taking about stress?

Buddhism contains many teachings & techniques that can lead to a reduction in stress. Indeed, the ultimate goal of the Buddhist life, nirvana, is described as the complete absence of any kind of stress. To achieve enlightenment isn't immediately achievable for all of us, however - when was the last time you met someone you thought was a living buddha? - but nevertheless, Buddhism can help us to significantly reduce our stress levels if we learn a few of its basic teachings and techniques. What are the core teachings of the Buddha?

The core teachings of the Buddha are called the four noble truths (ariya-atthangika-magga), and are as follows: Life is stressful (dukkha, often translated as 'suffering,')The cause of stress is craving (tanha, often 'desire.')To end (nirodha) craving is to end stress.There is a path (magga) to end suffering. Define dukkha, tanha, nirodha and magga.

Dukkha - Suffering

Tanha - Desire

Nirodha - Ending of the craving to end stress

Magga - The path to end stress

What is avoidance of free time?

One thing that many people fear like nothing else – this one thing is empty time. The thought of spending even a single hour with nothing to do – no television, no 'phone, no internet, no reading, no conversation and not even a glass of wine, fills many people with an intense aversion and even dread. How does this increase our stress?

And it is the fearful avoidance of empty time and silence that is one of the main reasons why so many people are stressed. In an never-ending attempt to fill even the last minute of the day with activity and entertainment there is just no room left for breathing .There simply is no time to relax. How can we reduce our fear of free time?

In order to reduce our stress we do not have to spend whole weekends by ourselves. But it would be good to make time for stillness and silence for at least 20 minutes each day. You do not even have to learn to meditate. Just sit quietly by yourself and notice what is going through your mind. Notice particularly all the reasons that come into your mind why sitting quietly for half an hour is ‘a waste of time’, ‘useless’ or whatever else you may tell yourself to avoid doing it. All you need to do is to envelop yourself with a feeling of love and goodwill just like a mother would send love to a child who has trouble settling down.