The Third Noble Truth follow logically. If the cause of life's 'dislocation' is selfish craving, the cure lies in overcoming tanha. This is accomplished only by eliminating the cause itself. If we could be released by the constraints of our narrow self interest , we would be free from our torment. By denying the notion of self and attachment, we deny the ego and therefore suffering itself. It is not enough merely to know that misery pervades all of our existence. The third noble truth is essentially the cessation of dukkha: an end can be found through the relinquishment and abandonment of the cravings. The full realization of the third Noble Truth paves the way for the direct penetration of Nirvana, the transcendent freedom that stands as the final goal of all the Buddha's teachings, the pure consciousness event. Since Nirvana is the word used to describe life's goal, we would be better off to know it's meaning. Etymologically, it means "to blow out" or to "estinguish". We should identify what exactly it is that they mean to estinguish, so as to clear up any negative connotations. Buddhism means to estinguish the boundries of the finite self. It is boundless life itself. It is the realization of selflessness, and the cessation of all selfish desire. Only when selflessness is achieved can one relinquish and abandon the desire for private fulfillment, and untangle one's self from the web of attatchments. Absense of the idea of the self permits awareness of the transience of all things. Once the walls of the ego have been shattered, it permits the understanding of the dukkha of others. The cessation of craving for personal fulfillment and happiness is a three step process. The first step is to merely recognize your 'egomania'. Acknowledge the walls of the ego, without this first step, you have no means to continue. The second step, is the Middle Way. The sincere spiritual seeker is to follow a path of balance, rather than ex...
