The Four Noble Truths of Love

Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver

In this episode, I share my personal adaptation of Buddhist principles for relationships, "The Four Noble Truths of Love." Drawing from my own 26-year marriage and moments of deep disconnection, I talk about how Buddhist wisdom helped me navigate challenges.

Key Points include:

Love Affairs vs. Relationships: There is a fundamental difference between love affairs (characterized by romance, intensity, desire, and perhaps some drama) and relationships (characterized by intimacy, closeness, deep knowing, and sometimes irritation).

The Buddha’s Four Noble Truths

1. Life is suffering/unsatisfying
2. Grasping causes suffering
3. There is a cessation of suffering
4. The Noble Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths of Love (made up by me)

1. Relationships never stabilize (what?!)
2. Thinking they should stabilize creates instability
3. Meeting the instability together is love
4. Viewing all disconnects (barring abuse of any kind) as ways to deepen intimacy helps

For more on this topic, check out my book, The Four Noble Truths of Love

NOTE: We'll be taking a two-week break. The Buddhism Beyond Belief Podcast will return with a new episode on June 13. Mwah!

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Produced by Citizens of Sound

Music by: Derek O'Brien
©Open Heart Project