I don't think it is that we want to hang on to suffering Shaw. It is more likely we simply don't understand how to approach suffering.
Most of us, including me, try to avoid suffering. All forms, physical, emotional, and mental. But that is truly the approach that actually adds to suffering.
Most of us, if not all, seek enjoyment and pleasure. Happiness and joy. At the same time we try mightily to avoid pain and suffering.
But, by accepting our suffering, getting up close to it and actually understanding and embracing it we begin to lose our fear of suffering. And it begins to lose its grip on us.
Without suffering we could not know pleasure, happiness, or joy.
Since my entering the Buddhist path to liberation much has changed for me. I still suffer, but i now use it to my advantage. Understanding has resulted in a growing inner peace and incresed calm. It has also awakened a deeper compassion for others and a deeper desire to understand and help others.
There is much more that could be said. I'll leave it for another time. If there is interest. Although i am still learning and will continue to learn until i close my eyes for the last time in this life.
RN USA is a No Judgement Zone (to steal from Planet Fitness), so please, NO JUDGEMENT of others. We reserve the right to delete any such posts immediately upon detection.
All views are welcome. As long as the comment is on topic (off topic will be deleted) and respectful of others.
Why do we humans want to hang onto suffering? That is always my question. You know more about this phenomenon than I do.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is that we want to hang on to suffering Shaw. It is more likely we simply don't understand how to approach suffering.
DeleteMost of us, including me, try to avoid suffering. All forms, physical, emotional, and mental. But that is truly the approach that actually adds to suffering.
Most of us, if not all, seek enjoyment and pleasure. Happiness and joy. At the same time we try mightily to avoid pain and suffering.
But, by accepting our suffering, getting up close to it and actually understanding and embracing it we begin to lose our fear of suffering. And it begins to lose its grip on us.
Without suffering we could not know pleasure, happiness, or joy.
Since my entering the Buddhist path to liberation much has changed for me. I still suffer, but i now use it to my advantage. Understanding has resulted in a growing inner peace and incresed calm. It has also awakened a deeper compassion for others and a deeper desire to understand and help others.
There is much more that could be said. I'll leave it for another time. If there is interest. Although i am still learning and will continue to learn until i close my eyes for the last time in this life.
An exellent book that discusses suffering is "The Book of JOY". A five day dialog us between the Dalai Lama and Archbisop Desmond Tutu.
DeleteI highly recommend it.