Life is Suffering

Life is suffering.

Something I think most people would nod their head in agreement to.

It’s illustrated throughout Christianity.

It’s a “terrible truth” in Buddhism.

This phrase is common across cultures.

It’s a rather harsh, all-encompassing statement.

What if we change it up a bit? Let’s explore:

Life contains what we do not want.

 

Suffering is an opportunity for recognition.

One reason we feel suffering is because we are not in or receiving “X” desire.

This tension (from the difference) can cause suffering.

It may be small physical suffering like stubbing a toe. Don’t you miss non-pain?

It may be a big emotional suffering like losing a loved one. Loss can hurt.

 

But suffering is revealing – softly or with a big slap in the face.

When you’re sick, perhaps you realise how you value health.

When others are sick, perhaps you realise how valuable spending time with people is.

When there’s a disaster, it’s incredible to see the community come together to help.

But despite the good suffering can produce, it is still suffering.

No one wants to truly suffer, if it can be avoided.

But we likely would encounter it if we are doing or keep doing the “wrong” thing – what you “don’t like”.

Suffering can come from resistence. Resistence can be a “symptom” of disliking.

Why do we dislike things?

There’s different reasons. One of them is