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Here is my reflection based on the poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
Life is not always a bed of roses. It has also painful thorns. The Buddha makes a wise reflection on suffering. He calls it a noble truth. Why do we suffer? What or who causes suffering? Once we know the cause of suffering, we can learn about suffering and when we apply this knowing, we can be free from our self-created suffering. Then there's is no blaming, no fighting, no denying. We free ourselves from the grip of suffering. This is the way of being enlightened. Knowing the cause of suffering is the way of reducing or becoming free from the self-caused suffering. Knowing is one thing. Practicing and implementing is another thing. I know the path of ending the suffering. However, there are times when I have missed the mark and caused suffering to me and to others who have loved me unconditionally. I have related to my suffering compassionately and this knowing has helped me not to create my own suffering and that way I do not cause suffering in others who love me. Being honest and authentic with my own self, being loyal to my own self, and relating to my self and others who might have caused suffering to me compassionately has been liberating me from my pain and suffering. Namaste!
4 Comments
Debbie Podwika
4/22/2023 03:46:02 pm
First I would say Sunsets are Beautiful! :-) Next, I do try to find the good in everything and I generally believe everything happens for a reason and purpose, so when something is negative, I try to say it will make me stronger to go through it, eventually. I do know some people who see one thorn and want to say kill the rose. I am not like that. On the other hand, while I understand we learn and grow the most from mistakes or problems we overcome, I do believe we should notice some thorns and alert others and try to do something about them. For example, injustices in the word or when things are basically not right, we should voice our concern, so that we can sometimes get rid of the suffering for us or others and try to do it right away. If my foot or back hurts (a thorn) I need to be mindful of it and do something about it so that I do not suffer anymore or even more if I do nothing. If I notice something is wrong in the world, I should voice my opinion to see if it can be changed. No one needs to needlessly suffer if we take steps to correct the cause of suffering. Be the Change!
George Ochsenfeld
4/22/2023 05:59:15 pm
Thank you, JP! Wise words as usual. I especially like what you said about self-created suffering. In fact, most of the emotional pain I’ve had in life has been self-created and unnecessary, usually the result of me demanding that people or circumstances be the way I want. 😂
Debbie Podwika
4/22/2023 08:56:26 pm
I like your reply. I do agree with those personal thorns. I would add that self-forgiveness usually gets rid of the suffering.
George Oschenfeld
4/23/2023 04:57:13 pm
Dear George: Leave a Reply. |
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