Cessation of suffering is within reach!
Nibbana is a concept that has eluded a concrete definition. For some, Nibbana is a place to go to, while for some, it is a state to achieve. The model one follows, unfortunately, depend on the sermons one listens to...
Is Nibbana a concept? An imaginay place? Why is Nibbana undefinable?
Now, heaven is a place, though imaginary. We are well briefed on the attributes of heaven. So are that of its opposite place.
Nibbana, is a conceptual state, I think. A state to be attained, realised by oneself. It is a state that transcends verbal description and physical representation.
Nibbana is the state of ultimate cessation of suffering, having eliminated and purged oneself of all causes of suffering.
One can perform simple mental experiments and try to comprehend what this state is likely to be.
The practice of "The Art of Letting Go" is a remarkably fruitful framework within which to conduct these mental experiments. A book I can thoroughly recommend on this topic is:
"Opening the Door of Your Heart" by Rev. Ajahn Brahm
ISBN 955-24-0285-9
Published by: Buddhist Publication Society of Sri Lanka.
If you cannot get at the book it right now, pick any one of the multitude issues that bother you at the moment, or most of the time in your life.
Take the agonies of driving to work in the morning: people are always cut across your path without indicating, intimidate you by sitting on your tail, or whatever.
The truth is, you suffer as long as you keep a hold on to the annoying experience. It is you who carry the frustration and anger, not the perpetrator. See what happens to you if you let it go...
Ah! The relief.
Now, project this simple experiment to cover ALL your "problems". How would you feel?
The above is meant to be a hint of what this state can be, and just a hint, I must emphasise. It is by no means a definition of Nibbana. I am afraid I must now direct you to the Buddhist texts…
Even the longest journeys begin with one step, a Chinese proverb says...