Willing to Experience our Suffering
A few weeks ago someone gave me an interesting article on suffering, and the first part of it was on the meaning of the word – “suffering”. I’m interested in these meanings; they are teachings in themselves. The writer of this article pointed out that the word “suffering” is used to express many things. The second part “fer”, is from the Latin word “ferre,” meaning “to bear.” And the first part, “suf” is from sub, meaning “under.” So there’s a feeling in the word “to be under,” “to bear under,” “to totally be under” – “to be supporting something from underneath.” [...]
So (remembering the definition of the word “suffer”) until we bow down and bear the suffering of life, not opposing it, but absorbing it and being it – we cannot see what our life is. This by no means implies passivity or non-action, but action from a state of complete acceptance. Even “acceptance” is not quite accurate – it’s simply being the suffering. It isn’t a matter of protecting ourselves, or accepting something else. Complete openness, complete vulnerability is (surprisingly enough) the only satisfactory way of living our life. […]
Our practice throughout our lifetime is just this: At any given time we have a rigid viewpoint or stance about life; it includes some things, it excludes others. We may stick with it for a long time, but if we are sincerely practicing our practice itself will shake up that viewpoint; we can’t maintain it. As we begin to question our viewpoint we may feel struggle, upset, as we try to come to terms with this new insight into our life; and for a long time we may deny it and struggle against it. That’s part of practice. Finally we become willing to experience our suffering instead of fighting it. When we do so our standpoint, our vision of life, abruptly shifts. Then once again, with our new viewpoint, we go along for a while – until the cycle begins anew.
Once again the unease comes up. And we have to struggle, to go through it again. Each time we do this – each time we go into the suffering and let it be – our vision of life enlarges. It’s like climbing a mountain. At each point that we ascend we see more; and that becomes broader with each cycle of climbing, of struggle. And the more we see, the more expansive our vision, the more we know what to do, what action to take.
--Charlotte Joko Beck, from “Everyday Zen: Love and Work”
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13 Past Reflections
On Dec 27, 2009 noel wrote :
Eventually all pain, even that which comes from emotional and mental energies, can become physical if it's left to continue in a disconnected fashion that we recreate each day. Most of us can feel physical pain in this reality but we all don't need to feel suffering. It's a choice not a requisite progression, some can embrace their pain and it diminishes while others can embrace their suffering and it leads them to further understanding of themselves. Or we can bypass attaching ourselves to pain through emotional and mental constructs and creating suffering. This too can illuminate our path to understanding and accepting ourselves as the creators of our lives.
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On Dec 25, 2009 Viral wrote :
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On Dec 24, 2009 R K Sinha wrote :
What is suffering?As per Hindu Mythology the suffering of present life is basically the result of our past karma.The definition of suffering may be some thing different but is the fact that who he suffers can only imagine the exact meaning of PAIN or HARDSHIP.I always ask from me that why one child is born in the family of a millionaire and another in a family of beggar the only reason is his PAST that is why we always refer our HOLY BOOK GEETA which says that your KARMA is your Destiny.
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On Dec 24, 2009 Somik Raha wrote :
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On Dec 22, 2009 Rod wrote :
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On Dec 22, 2009 Bill Miller wrote :
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On Dec 22, 2009 Teo wrote :
2 replies: Speak, Bob | Post Your Reply
On Dec 22, 2009 Patsy wrote :
I would like to speak to what Godi said. "Happiness" is dependant upon circumstance. "Joy" is a state that can exist independant of circumstance. "Inner peace" falls into the same category.
Living out a physical existance must always involve some amount of suffering - just ask the mother of an infant with colic. We must all experience pain of our own and on behalf of those we care for. Therefore, there must be good (growth, learning, gain) that can be had from suffering.
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On Dec 22, 2009 linda wrote :
At first glance,this sounds to me like "Life sucks, then you die...", but on further consideration, I realize that rallying against suffering doesn't end it, it perpetuates it. Anything you put your mind to becomes bigger and stronger. If you accept this suffering as a temporary hardship - no wallowing, rallying, screaming - you can see it for what it is. Suffering is a learning opportunity.
If you can accept your current circumstances and work to maintain your inner balance, you will most likely gain something - compassion if nothing else- from the experience. The trick to accepting suffering is to avoid the trap of allowing it to become your life story, to keep my original perspective - "Life sucks then you die"- from becoming your truth. How about "Life is bumpy, then it smoothes out..."?
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On Dec 22, 2009 Godi Gutierrez wrote :
The human being is intentionality and its basic intention is to gain a growing happiness. The opposite of happiness is suffering. Therefore, to surpass suffering is to gain happiness - and what this author is saying is the exact opposite of this.
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On Dec 21, 2009 Matthew Oliver Sloan wrote :
A really wonderful thought for this holy-season. With true acceptance of our life, comes true joy. Suffering is only our reaction to circumstances, our thoughts and reactions to them. How wonderful to really be in our suffering. With being comes peace, and release. Oh, how I hope to be in my suffering so it just melts away into the true joy of being.