What are you doing with your suffering?

[Guest guest]

Forwarded:

 

What Are You Doing With Your Suffering?

 

The Buddha teaches us that there is suffering in our existence and life. He does

not teach us, as some people mistakenly believe, that life is suffering.

 

It does not take much experience with life to see that what he states is true,

that being that there is suffering in life.

 

We may experience and feel a great deal of suffering in our own day to day

living and we may also see in our own family and among our friends and

environment the wide range of suffering that people are liable to experience

each day.

 

If we read, listen to or watch the news each day, the words, actions and

behavior of the suffering of many beings is abundantly clear to us.

 

Most of the time the suffering that they experience has to do with being touched

or provoked or exploited in such a manner that they suffer. Of course, illness,

accidents, natural disasters and economic hard times bring on their own kind of

suffering.

 

We sometimes think that people who live a life of sensual and sexual pleasure

and indulgence or who have a good job and fame and financial and material

security and wealth do not suffer.

 

This writer, having had the opportunity to observe and interact with people from

a wide range of economic, educational, and social backgrounds has found such a

perception to be not accurate.

 

The Buddha teaches us that much of our suffering is self – inflicted and what he

advises is that we think, speak and act in a manner that enhances ourselves and

the lives of others instead of being blinded and habituated to our ignorant

ways.

 

As we practice and examine his teaches in more detail and with greater effort,

and experience the changes that come about through that effort and practice, we

also become mindful that even though we do suffer, we can use that energy of

suffering in various ways.

 

We can suffer in such a way that we abuse ourselves and others, are depressed,

are habitually critical and condemning of others, can not get focused on

anything in such a manner as to complete it or grow from it, or we may just get

angry very easily.

 

The well - known and well - respected teacher of Buddhism, Ajahn Sumedho, a man

who has guided many lay people to the teachings of Buddhism in such a way that

they can help them, has talked about how there was something in his past that he

remembers as being unfair and still may cause him to feel hurt or angry,

 

It seems that this is something we have all experienced or can relate to.

 

This writer to remembers those things that caused him confusion or he feels

damaged him on a daily basis, just because they happened when he was young and

not wise about the mind and our thoughts, feelings and actions.

 

Those unwholesome things that we experience or perceive at a young age can have

a tremendously negative influence on us throughout our life.

 

We need to be mindful and make the right effort so that they do not rob us of

our ability to see our gifts and use them in a wise and fruitful manner and also

make us unable to see the gifts and respect the existence of others.

 

Feeling compassion and understanding for and loving and respecting other people

is an important aspect of the practice of Buddhism.

 

We can find joy in the achievements, gifts, talents and attributes that other

people possess.

 

The hand that buys drugs and puts them in one's mouth or arm can also be a hand

that reaches out to others in an understanding way, or picks up a book and

learns.

 

The tongue and mouth which can be used in such a way as to abuse others or lie

to them can also be used to speak gently and respectfully to and about others.

 

The body which can be thought of as little more then a vehicle for pleasure or

self – adornment can also be used in such a way as to improve one's own life and

environment and assist others in some manner.

 

None of us like to suffer. But we can take the energy that is part of the

experience of suffering and use it in a positive manner.

 

It takes mindfulness and effort to do such a thing.

 

Mindfulness and effort is brought about through study and practice. It is not

that hard to do.

 

©2009 John C. Kimbrough (johnckimbrough)

 

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,

 

John