Trapped in "happiness"

People are programmed by the influences and situations in their life. A small percentage of these people are masked throughout their childhood of the pain, sorrow, and misfortune others feel on a daily basis. Siddhartha Guatama (also known as Buddha, or "the enlightened one") had a invisible cloak upon the outside world for the beginning 30% of his life. He saw luxury, he learned nothing while being trapped inside the walls around his home. Once he wandered outside the gates, he found that he knew nothing. This affected him so much that he decided to give his life of carelessness, and learn the true nature of human existence. This is called the Great Rununciation.

Meditation is a great tool. People meditate to find happiness, their spirt guides, knowledge, peace, and so much more. Buddha used meditation to find the true nature of human existence. From meditation, Buddha learned that the key to reach nirvana is to take control of one's thoughts and actions, and to cease to participate in behavior that had "bad effects". The Four Noble Truths are based upon Buddha's teachings. Within the Four Noble Truths, Buddha gives a set of eight behaviors to follow in order to reach enlightenment. Buddha had a long-lived, full-filling life that created a religion that has influenced millions.