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Lynne Twist has written a touching article and below is my reflection on it:
It is my understanding based on my experiences that deep joy comes from facing pain, suffering and hardship rather than running away from it. It is like going through the heat of the fire to experience coolness. It sounds counter intuitive and paradoxical. Deep joy is born in the womb of love. Mother goes through the agony and pain of birthing the baby and feels deep joy when the baby comes out from the womb. Such joy is not temporary. The flow of joy keeps on flowing when she raises her baby who goes through passages of life. Her source of deep joy is pure and unconditional love for her child. Suffering is the first noble truth according to the Buddha. We all suffer physically, mentally, emotionally and relationally. I have experienced such suffering through out my life. Such experiences have been beneficial to me. By facing such experiences and by going through them I have become more empathic, compassionate and kind to myself and to others. I know where, how and why my shoe pinches and that way I have learned where, how and why other's shoe pinches. Such knowing comes from facing our suffering with compassion and kindness for ourselves and for others in our lives. Denying, averting or reacting to suffering causes more suffering. The tree of love grows by nurturing the seeds. Self nurturing and nurturing other folks in my life helps the tree not only to survive but also to flourish. Working on myself mindfully has been very helpful to me. Serving others selflessly has always brought deep joy, contentment, fulfillment, and happiness in my life. In that sense I feel the same way like the author Lynne Twist says: "The harderI work the more I love." Namaste!
2 Comments
Debbie Podwika
5/30/2020 03:55:09 pm
Speaking of pinching shoes...I still remember you telling us in class, "Sometimes you put someone else's shoes on & they don't fit." That had such an impact on me. We always she to see things from another's perspective, put on their shoes, but sometimes we just can't. No two (or more) pregnancies are the same. I remember telling my students this and giving them the example of man whose wife was pregnant with fraternal twins. She went into labor early in Oct and delivered one. Usually when one comes the other does as well, but in this case it did not & the doctors said better for baby to stay. Other men would tell the father I have twins I know how you feel & he said, No, you don't, I have a brand new baby (1st one!!!) and my wife is still pregnant! She went 3 more months to full term. Interesting they are twins and have birthdays 3 months apart! HA! So sometimes we can certain be compassionate & empathize but it may not be full understanding exactly what it is like. If we realize this that will lead to more compassion and empathy. I think suffering allows us to appreciate joy much more when we compare. Problem sometimes is when we have joy we forget the times of pain. While this is certainly good, sometimes if we forget the painful times we don't appreciate the joy as much. Life is a roller coaster and man I love riding roller coasters! :-)
Debbie
7/2/2020 08:45:41 pm
So True! Tbe Buddha's search was on suffering. We all suffer is the first Noble Truth. What causes suffering? Our crivings and tacchment to oue desires. This is the second Noble Truth. There is an end of suffering. This is the Third Noble truth. There is a way to end suffering. This is the fourt Noble Truth. When we follow tthe Eighjt Noble Path.mindfully. Taht leads us to be liberated from suffering and we are in joy and peace. Leave a Reply. |
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