The Four Truths & The Noble Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths:

1. Suffering is the unavoidable accompaniment of physical existence (all life is suffering).
2. All suffering is caused by desire.
3. All personal desire, all ambition, must be extinguished by the person who wishes freedom from suffering and it can all be extinguished by walking the Path.
4. The path which leads to freedom from suffering is a narrow path.

The Noble Eightfold Path:

1. Right view
2. Right intention
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

(as stated by Buddha)

The Three Stone Masons Story

It’s the middle ages and there were three stone masons hard at work when a visitor stopped and asks each of them "What are you doing?"

The first stone mason said in a harsh voice, "Can’t you see? I’m carrying rocks!"

The second stone mason replied in a more resigned voice, "I’m building a wall."

The last stone mason responded with enthusiasm, "I am building a beautiful cathedral that will glorify God for centuries to come!"

The Seven Principles of the Universe

The Seven Principles together form the Master-Key that unlocks all the doors of the Temple of Knowledge.

 

1. The Principle of Mentalism: "The All is Mind; The Universe is mental."

2. The Principle of Correspondence: "As is above, so is below. As is below, so is above."

3. The Principle of Vibration: "Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."

4. The Principle of Polarity: "Everything is dual; everything has an opposite, and opposites are identical in nature but different in degree."

5. The Principle of Rhythm: "Everything flows, out and in; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left- rhythm compensates."

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect: "Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause."

7. The Principle of Gender: "Everything has its masculine and feminine principles."

(from the ancient Hermetic teachings - please check "The Kybalion")