The four thoughts that turn the mind to the dharma are four truths that when realized, motivate us to look to spiritual teachings (versus mundane people, places or things) as a source of freedom from our pain and suffering. These four thoughts are the realization that our human life is precious, that all things are impermanent and capable of changing, that cause and effect, aka karma, is infallible, and that samsara, or the cycle of habit, can never lead us to nirvana.