[B]It is the desire for something unobtainable that is the source of suffering. - The Buddha[/B]
“Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering” - The Buddha
The human being is able to willingly accept suffering, raising him/herself above the human condition. Indeed, there have been so many better human beings than me, men and women, who had to suffer much more than me … my sufferings provide a personal insight into how brave and strong they really were, and inspire me to go beyond my own limitations.
Tao Te Ching
Tao abides in non-action,
Yet nothing is left undone.
If kings and lords observed this,
The ten thousand things would develop naturally.
If they still desired to act,
They would return to the simplicity of formless substance.
Without form there is no desire.
Without desire there is tranquillity.
And in this way all things would be at peace
Yes, it is the source of suffering. Yet, we can let the object of our desire go. Than suffering stops.
The hardest thing is to actually do things you don’t desire to do. Pure exercise of will.
People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.
People suffer because they are caught in their views. As soon as we release those views, we are free and we don’t suffer anymore.
P.S. Lately, I’ve been noticing how these two quotes occur in many people, then I wonder if it occurs in me too and wow, it happens in me too.
Best regards, Gil
Great thread, simple, direct.
Good to read you again Pandara, even if the words aren’t directly yours. They’re still very much you. Namaste friend.
Suffering is inherent to human existence. To try and keep it out is a futile practice which will only perpetuate the very cycle of suffering.
To see suffering as it is: a perception of awareness, no longer trying to keep it out or keep the good stuff in, one discovers the openness of his very own presence in which both positive and negative descriptions will continue to appear, to be already perfectly present.
To consistently recognize the already present nature of awareness, is simple and effective. Soon the recognition of your very own presence will be fluid and natural regardless of how you would describe your experiences.
Then where is the suffering even in the midst of negativity?
Poef
- Gone
Much Love,
Bentinho.
What can I say, I have more of a Taoist leaning than a Buddhist one and there is not a whole lot on suffering there. 