Suffering is a Powerful Tool

I spend arguably too much time thinking about suffering — my own suffering as well as the collective suffering around the world. Maybe I’m alone in this, maybe not. But I think suffering is something that connects all of us. The existence of suffering is the first noble truth of Buddhism, after all.

I used to neglect suffering; mask it, cover it, ignore it, bottle it up inside, and appear happy on the outside even when I was destroyed on the inside. Now, I’m more relaxed about the concept. I can speak about it more casually. The suffering doesn’t bother or haunt me as much because I know everything is all good. Suffering is not only universal, but it comes in equal abundance to its opposite source of joy and peace.

I’ve learned that the only times that suffering is destructive is when we disregard its existence without acknowledgement. The only response to true suffering is compassion, so I try to treat each moment of suffering as an opportunity to practice compassion and love. It’s actually a blessing of sorts, and sometimes the suffering even makes me smile more than frown.

Everything is perfect. This doesn’t mean the world doesn’t have its faults and flaws. It just means that everything is how it’s meant to be based on the Karma that has been created. Even in the fucked up world we live in, everything is perfect in some way. This is the only reality we have, so I figure I will try to do my best to embrace it and move forward trying to create more connection than I had yesterday.

As long as we continue to walk alongside each other, we will be okay.

Much love,

Ben