Chapter Seven Summary and Analysis

We must practice the twelve turnings of the wheel of Dharma to understand the Four Noble Truths. The first turning is Recognition that something is wrong; we try to escape and deny rather than recognizing suffering and determining its basis. We need to treat our suffering with love and kindness, and "recognize, acknowledge and identify it." The second turning is Encouragement—or looking deep into the suffering to understand it like a doctor who runs tests to make a diagnosis. The third turning is realization, or understanding and identifying the suffering, and naming all its characteristics.

Buddha said we feed our happiness or suffering with four nutriments: edible food, sense impressions, intention and consciousness. Not eating mindfully causes suffering, as well as smoking, drinking and toxins, which also affects our children. If we destroy living beings or the...