Suffering is a fact of life. It’s the first of Buddha’s Four Noble Truths. According to him, you suffer when you crave something or have aversion to it. This psychic discomfort results from wanting something you don’t have or wanting to get rid of something you do have. Buddha’s recommendation for eliminating suffering was the Eightfold Path consisting of right vision, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. Or, you could practice embracing each moment without resistance. Accepting what is helps you respond consciously…
With balance.
Steve and Jarl
In AA we have an overly-concise way of saying this about suffering: “Misery is Optional”. In the early days of my alcohol recovery, I saw that, believed it and was stopped in my tracks. OMG! Indeed! Now I am seeing the techniques! Thank you guys!
Thank you Larry!