The Buddha offered many teachings to help people end their suffering, the first and most important being the Four Noble Truths. They offer us a structure with which to reflect upon our suffering and transform it through conscious action. Whatever form your suffering takes—stress, anxiety, weight gain, addiction, conflict, or something else—thoughtful consideration of these truths will help.

1.   All of us have suffering in our lives.

2.   We can identify the causes of our suffering.

What are my areas of suffering?
How do they manifest in my daily life?

3.   We can put an end to our suffering. Healing is possible.

4.   There are paths to free us from suffering.

A simple example from the field of medicine can help illustrate the Four Noble Truths. Let’s say you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (First Noble Truth), which was likely brought on by eating a poor diet and becoming very overweight (Second Noble Truth). Your doctor tells you the situation does not need to be like that and can be controlled, since research has shown that almost 90% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled through healthy lifestyles (confirming the Third Noble Truth). You follow the doctor’s prescription—taking your medicine, eating better, quitting smoking if you smoke, and exercising more—which is your route to healing (Fourth Noble Truth).

Accepting these truths is empowering. By doing so we realize that in each moment we are capable of identifying and seizing opportunities to transform our suffering.