· The path of the Octopus
The eightfold path is the last of Buddha's "four noble truths." They are: 1) the truth about suffering, 2) the truth about the cause of suffering, 3) the truth about the cessation of suffering. Four noble truths cover the whole of the Buddhist path. The truth about suffering points to the fundamental problem of existence, and the truth about suffering shows the source of the problem. The third truth is that negative elements of human condition are not invariable, and the fourth shows how one can change his perception of reality and go beyond suffering. The whole problem of suffering lies in the way we perceive reality, so its solution involves a change in perception: we suffer from false views about what is pleasant, valuable, or desirable. Therefore, the truth about the path indicates the transformation of perception so that it is in harmony with reality, which allows to put an end to suffering. This path is commonly referred to as a "noble eight-way path" b