Pain Expands Our Capacity For Joy

7/7/2023

The notion of brokenness is not something to be hidden but unveiled, reminds me of Buddha's four Noble Truths.

The first noble truth is that suffering is inescapable. As human beings we all go through sufferings. Accept that truth.
The second noble truth is to know the cause of suffering.
The third noble truth is accept it and work on it diligently.
The fourth noble truth is that there is a way to be free from suffering and that leads to liberation from suffering..

When we accept the brokenness and we do not hide it, fight or deny it, then that brokenness becomes a doorway to be free from it, to heal it, and grow from it. Like other human beings, I have gone through brokenness of my heart. It hurt me deeply and caused deep emotional wounds in me. I have learned not to deny my brokenness, my hurt and pain, not to blame others for it but to accept it. When I relate to my suffering this way my emotional energy doesn't get stuck or drained and it opens up my capacity to enjoy life. First of knowing and realizing what love is very important. Unconditional love and love without expectations of what I am going to get out of my relationships with especially people close to me is the first step. When I go beyond my expectations of getting something for loving people in my life, I experience abundant unselfish love and joy.. It takes time and efforts to move from selfish love to selfless love. Studying spiritual books, reflecting on the spiritual teachings, and putting these teachings in practice helps me immensely to walk on my spiritual path. Awareness of my cravings and mindfully working on them also helps me stay on the course. And the joy I experience following this path reinforces my endeavors. It is a joyful journey and I am not in a rush. I walk on my path slowly, gently, and mindfully.
Namaste!

Above is my reflection to the article written here.

3 Comments

Maria

7/8/2023 02:47:36 pm

The four noble truths have given me hope in knowing that I can free myself. I experience pain and I need to process it. Nobody is except from wounding. We all will have pain but we don't need to suffer for very long. I suffer when I forget that there is a way out of suffering.
Like you mentioned we are human and we will feel pain but it is also our responsibility to go beyond our limited expectations. With practice we can demonstrate more self love and compassion. It helps to be in community. By sharing our journey we can be aware of our true Self. Thank you for your messages and teaching us constantly that we can arrive everyday.

Therese M Griffin link

7/8/2023 03:59:04 pm

Pain fFnding Joy! Sometimes, it takes years to name, label, and own pain. It becomes normal. What's normal? As a child, my sister would teast me that I ran funny. My head and body leaned backwards not forward as runners do.

At age 77, I learned the other day that I've been walking crooked because one leg is a midge shorter than the other. All my life, I continued and endured pain not understanding what's wrong. I have a new Physical Therapist that's teaching me with kind words to take the pressure off with my walking. I do have a Playful God of Love.

Debbie Podwika

7/15/2023 02:37:15 pm

Well, I have a bit of issue with 3 & 4. Accept suffering? I understand that to be true sometimes with some deaths...though again not all. When my SIL brother was killed by a person going 60mph in a 30mph I accept he is dead but do not accept that it had to happen and feel we should do what we can to prevent that suffering for others. Same thing with like examples of abuse. I don't think we should accept it. I think we should do everything we can to prevent it from happening, Our planet, again we should do everything we can to prevent future suffering. I can accept and say ok, this happened today but heck if I won't try to make it not happen again. There are some people who just say, this is my lot in life and do nothing to change it (#4), I'm for preventing it from happening in the first place.

Mindfulness

Pain Expands Our Capacity For Joy

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