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Introduction
The teachings of the Buddha show you a path to channeling these self-destructive tendencies. By keeping a few simple Buddhist concepts in mind, you acquire a set of guiding principles to help solve the various challenges a chaotic world throws at you. What you gain from Buddhism is discipline, a trait that can be applied in all aspects of your life.
You don’t have control over what happens to you, but you can influence what you think about it.
Here are some basic concepts that can be applied for everyone even without being a Buddhist.
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Anatman — Letting go of your ego
This is the key to the ability to overcome many of the little pains that plague your existence. Yet, it is incredibly hard to do.
The ego drives you to always want more, but this striving is also the cause of your suffering. You have an entrenched belief in your own fixed identity, where the ego becomes intertwined with your sense of “I am”.
Things are fluid. They change. You are not the same person you were a few years ago, and in the future, you won’t remain the same person as now. In this context, you will recognize that most things don’t really matter.
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Shila — Engaging in just action
In life, you are often faced with choices. One course of action is advantageous to you. The other course of action is the right thing to do. Which one do you pick?
Most people usually pick the first one. Yet, the world would be a better place if more people did the right thing instead.
This is the Buddhist concept of shila, engaging in just actions. It’s about living in an ethical way, not lying, not stealing, and doing things that profit others. Respect everyone, do kind things, and live in a virtuous way.
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Prajna — Having the right understanding
If translated into English, the Sanskrit word “prajna” means wisdom. In the Buddhist context, this is about gaining an understanding of how the world really works.
In practical terms what this means is that you need to focus on learning, and then putting what you learn into practice. For the Buddhists, this is about getting deep into studying the dharma. For us, this has meant studying philosophy, psychology, science, history, and any subject that gives an insight into how the world functions.
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Karuna — Compassion
The best way to do that is to put yourself in the shoes of the other person. Try to see the world through their eyes. Much of the conflict and polarization that you see on this planet is due to the fact that most people are not able to feel themselves into the daily struggles of someone else. They deny the suffering of others, instead of focusing on their own.
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Mudita — Joy
The concept of mudita can be translated as joy. However, it goes beyond just these simple moments of connection with the world. Mudita is about the feeling of unrestrained joy for other people.
Imagine the joy that a parent feels when they see their child walk for the first time. There is no selfishness associated with that sight. This is what mudita is all about. It’s about being happy for others, appreciating their deeds and fortune.
It’s the opposite of envy, a destructive emotion. Instead of being jealous of the success of others, try to be happy for them.
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Summary
- Anatman: Let go of your ego. Stop chasing fame, likes on social media, and other empty things.
- Shila: Don’t engage in actions because they are good for you. Do them because they are the right thing to do.
- Prajna: Study how the world works, and act according to that knowledge.
- Karuna: Feel compassion towards others, help them when they are down, and help them even if they are up.
- Mudita: Enjoy the little things. Be happy for others.
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CURATOR'S NOTE
By keeping a few simple Buddhist concepts in mind, you acquire a set of guiding principles to help solve the various challenges a chaotic world throws at you. Here are 5 simple concepts in Buddhism that can be applied for EVERYONE!
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