Are you experiencing pain and suffering? If not now, I am quite sure you have at some point in your life and you will again. It is part of our human existence in this physical world. That is absolutely the one commonality that we all share regardless of how high you are on the spiritual hierarchy or how much you’ve evolved. Suffering exist; It has a cause; It has an end; And it has a cause to bring about its end.
I have read books, meditated, taken classes, talked with spiritual guru’s, and participated in counseling therapy as well as other types of therapy, all in an effort to stop the pain and suffering or to avoid it in the first place. I now know that the writers of those books, the teachers of those classes, the spiritual gurus and the counselors themselves are exactly like me in that they too have experienced pain and suffering and will continue to experience it.
No one wants pain. No one wants to suffer.
Growing up in a small country town, I remember we always had a fly swatter handy in the kitchen. It’s almost as if it was another kitchen appliance. We were very poor and had no air conditioning so in the summer it was quite common for the door and/or windows to be open for airflow. This allowed the annoying flies in at times. Have you ever tried to swat a fly? It is a challenge for sure. As soon as you get close, they fly away. Even the fly does not want pain or suffering.
For me, aversion, desire, and ignorance have been at the root of much of my suffering. My desire for pleasure, material goods, and immortality, all of which can never really be satisfied. Then there is the suffering I experienced by the loss of my mother, the break-up of my relationship, and the loss of my pet. Losses we all experience that lead to pain and suffering. It’s inevitable. No running from it.
I am slowly learning the importance of being with the pain and suffering as opposed to trying to avoid it and run from it. Anything you are running from will only continue to chase you. It’s instinctual. Running from it, avoiding it, or pretending it doesn’t exist is like running in circles. You keep ending up right back where you started. It is not going away until you deal with it effectively. Until you recognize and acknowledge it. It is there to teach you a lesson. Yes, it is uncomfortable and our natural tendency is to run to a place of comfort. But are we running to a place of comfort or just sweeping the discomfort under the rug?
I have spent so much time and energy running from pain and suffering. It is probably more appropriate in my case to say, I’ve spent so much time and energy pretending. Pretending that everything was okay when instead I was in pain. I was suffering. It was like I was putting a band-aid on something that needed stitches. As a result, the wound never healed properly.
Things that are helping me more effectively deal with pain and suffering:
· Realize that nothing is permanent. Everything changes
· View suffering as a vehicle through which I can explore and understand myself better
· Take responsibility for my pain
· Stay focused on what the pain is telling me about my experience
There is emotional pain/suffering and physical pain/suffering but they are both really one. Everything begins and ends in the mind (emotional.) Our emotional pain (mind) manifest itself through physical pain (body). It’s the mind body connection we’ve all heard about many times.
Embrace your pain and suffering today. Realize that it will end and when it does, you will be a better version of yourself. Growth can be painful. Life’s lessons can be painful. It is through those growing pains that we actually grow and evolve. If we run from it, we never grow and evolve.
Thanks as always for your love and support. If you haven’t already, grab a copy of my latest book on Amazon where I talk more about my experiences. Click on the link below to order the book.
Blessings,
Vince
My book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735975702
Great into a thing we all have in common: Pain and Suffering, even the fly tries to avoid it. Good Stuff!!
Thank you so much James. Really appreciate you taking time to read my thoughts.
Vince