However, before jumping to the conclusion that this is too much "doom and gloom", we should stay open to the possibility that this is indeed the bottom line human existence if we have to courage to be absolutely realistic.
In any case (leaving out vast intermediary dynamics), his Fourth (and last) Noble Truth is that coming to terms with Dukah (or Samsara -- basically vicious circle living), is a sublime transcendence called Nirvana (one root meaning of which is the blowing out of the ego/personality flame).
The catch 22 in all of this is that ONLY to the degree we dare to begin were we are (i.e., Dukha) is the consummated 4th Noble Truth of Liberation possible.
In short, things like repression, avoidance, denial don't merely keep us in the box or cage of human chaos or misery; THEY ARE THE CAGE/BOX of human chaos or misery. They are the "walls" of our prison which exist only to the degree we are slaves to fear.
Of course, a tragically predictable and simplistic response to the above is to discount it as mere intellectualizing and "impractical" theory. But this is the same strategy of trying to repress death. "Oh, it's nothing to be concerned about since I am the only life form in this galaxy who/what has solved the problem of death."
Oh really? Thinking that means believing the repression of death is the same as "eliminating" death, but this is merely the most common philosophical psychosis of our species.
No, our lives are grounded in a Himalayan Mountain range of repression, denial, and fear, and to the precise degree this is the case, NOTHING of ultimate value or liberation is possible for the human race.
A sort of final example of how this wisdom journey his it’s own "spiritual process", is the following way of experiencing Nirvana. However, this potential consummation for almost every human being alive is NOT a "consummation devoutly to be wished" (kudos to Shakespeare). Rather, it will probably sound like the ultimate fear, the ultimate failure, and a fate worse than death -- even though it is just such fearful thinking that traps us in Dukha.
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