Right now the person staring at these words is in a state of constant change. We all pretty much know the basics of biology. That the body consist of millions of cells that are dying and new ones are replacing the dead ones.

What you percieve as "you" is not what is "you". Sound strange?

Lets go with this for a moment what you think of as "you" consist of your body, feelings, memories, awareness and perception of self. Lets go a step further and say that "you" consist of skin, bones, blood, muscles, hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and internal organs. There is something else: memory, feelings, awareness and perception of self.

Ok, If we could kill off the body and place your complete memory of your life into another body with completely differant skin, bones, blood, muscles, hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and internal organs and maybe a differant sex. Question, would this be "you"? No, this would not be "you". Why because it is a differant body. Right? We all have a common sense knowledge that if we observe no change in an object then it is still that same object. If we see change in an object then it is no longer "what" we first knew it to be. It is something differant. This sounds kind of strange because it is common sense but, bear with me and keep this in mind.

Since the body and all that it consist of: skin, bones, blood, muscles, hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and internal organs is in a constant state of change then we have to say that the perception of what the mind makes out to be as"you" is not what is truly "you". In essence you have a differant body every second that you live because millions of cells are dying and new ones are taking their place (i.e. differant body). The perception of self comes from the illusion that you do not change. The fact of the matter is we cannot notice the small changes taking place every second.

Perception of Self

Perception of self is borne from the brain keeping memories intact for the overall survival of the body. Memories consist of sensory input saved in packets of seconds of time stored in an ever-changing body (the brain). Your feelings and perceptions change daily also.

Everything that you have ever seen, touched observed, thought about even contemplated is changing and will pass away at some time in the future. The body will die, the mountains will crumble, the oceans will dry up, the Earth will one day die from the heat of the Sun's expansion and it's own death. The Universe itself will die one day either in a "Heat Death" or the "Big Crunch". The "Heat Death" is when all the stars nuclear reactions come to a halt because they will exhausted all their fuel. Then after an astronomical amount of time the protons that hold matter itself on the edge of existance will themselves began to decay. The "Big Crunch" is where all the matter in the entire Universe collapes in on itself and crushes itself out of existance. The two theories are dependant on the amount of matter that there is in the Universe. If it is not enough to attract itself back together then it will die of the "Heat Death" if it is then it will die in the "Big Crunch". The whole point is this: EVERYTHING IN THIS UNIVERSE WILL ONE DAY DIE INCLUDING THE UNIVERSE ITSELF.

Truth

The truth never changes. That which is true is permenant or changless. A fact is a fact and it will never change or die out. This is a self evident equation like "1+1=2" that we can all agree on and we know this to be true. This will never change.

That which is uncreated or eternal will never change, never decay, never die, and will always exist (truth and true reality).

Lies, Falsehoods and Fantasies

That which is a lie is and can change and often will. That which is a falsehood or fantasy can change with ease because it has no base of truth to hold it together. Lies cause suffering and pain. It is that which is "unreal" or "untrue".

That which is created will change, decay, die, and cease to exist at some point in the future (lies and false realities).

Nirvana

The Buddha discovered 2500 years ago that we are living in a lie or "false reality". The "path to truth" or "true reality" is through detaching through concentration in deep meditation from that which is "untrue".

If you accept the "Four Noble Truths" that the Buddha discovered was the path. Then you have entered the path of your escape from this lie or "false reality" that you are in.

Lies are hurtful to all they keep us from progress because we do not know all the facts. Lies and "false realities" keep us in darkness and ignorance. A blind man will run into obstacles because he does not have all the information that he needs to walk the path. We are blinded by ignorance.

The Four Noble Truths

• The Noble Truth of Suffering

  Suffering is: birth, ageing, sickness, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair.

• The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering

  The origin of suffering or where suffering comes from is: craving, which is accompanied by delight and lust delights in this and that, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for being and not being.

• The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

  The end of suffering or cessation of suffering comes about in: ceasing, relinquishment of, letting go of, and rejecting the cravings.

• The Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the End of Suffering

  The way leading to the end of suffering is in following the "Noble Eightfold Path".

  Noble Eightfold Path (ATTHANGIKA-MAGGA)

  1) Right Understanding:

  This is understanding the Budhha's teachings (the Four Noble Truths). We need to have heard or read them and penetrated their truth by testing them against our experiances in Life.

  2) Right Thought:

  This is the correct motivation not a selfishness but, a selflessness. Moving away from self and into doing good deeds for others without worring about a payoff.

  3) Right Speech:

  This is about not using harsh language, slanderous or hurtful things said about others.

  4) Right Action:

  This is basic morality such as not killing, not stealing, taking care of one's body refrainng from becoming intoxicated with drugs and alcohol.

  5) Right Livelihood:

  This is referring to not making a living in a trade that would harm others or any living thing.

  6) Right Effort:

  This is basically you giving everything you do the best effort you have including but not limited to your job, study of the Dhamma, search for the truth, taking care not to harm others in any way, your home life, your family, taking care of your body and mind. Conquer evil thoughts and give rise to good thoughts. Do not allow laziness to take over.

  7) Right Mindfulness:

  This is being aware of your actions, your body, your surroundings and your thoughts even. This comes as you meditate more.

  8) Right Concentration:

  This is about the development of one-pointedness, single mindness, letting go of thoughts about the world and pure insight into one focused point. Deep meditation to reach a state "enlightment".