{"id":195,"date":"2019-11-15T01:05:27","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T01:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=195"},"modified":"2020-02-07T17:41:17","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T07:41:17","slug":"realities-of-life","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/realities-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"[4] Reality of Suffering"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A very large obstacle to success on the path of\nenlightenment is our attachment to samsara<\/em>, to the worldly life.\nBecause we are all so strongly attached to this material world, we need to\nexamine with great care whether worldly activities will benefit us eternally or\nnot.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, most of us desire possessions, pleasure,\ncomfort, and we also want love and acceptance from others. We work hard to\nobtain these things, going through much discomfort and even suffering to get\nthem. Ultimately, we will find that clinging to this world as the source of our\nsafety, happiness, and satisfaction is fruitless and futile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First we must understand and embrace the truth of our stress\nand suffering. We will then be motivated to identify and finally renounce the\ncauses of this stress and suffering. It is necessary for us to fully understand\nsuffering and its causes so we are able to generate this renunciation and\nenthusiastically practice the path to liberation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most all of us experience some amount of suffering. Not many\nof us experience permanent happiness. We experience stress and we suffer\nbecause of our own ignorance, our selfish attachments, and our negative\nbehavior.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we cannot attribute our suffering to circumstances outside of ourselves<\/em>. Happiness and suffering originate within our own mind. The origins of our suffering begin within our own mind and heart when our perception of reality slips into the delusion of duality, permanence, and selfish desire. We become attached to the things of this world thinking they will bring us happiness and satisfaction. This leads to more clinging, delusion, stress, greed, and hatred. This is the cycle of samsara <\/em>(suffering). Attachment to this samsaric life <\/em>can distract us from practicing the Dharma [spiritual teaching].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the relative peace and stability of our human existence,\nit is wise for us to contemplate and deeply reflect upon suffering. In this\nway, we will develop a deep renunciation of the causes of our suffering and\ndeep compassion for all beings who experience suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth, old-age, sickness, and death can bring suffering.\nSuffering may arise from being associated with people or conditions that are\nunpleasant, from being separated from people we love or conditions we enjoy,\nfrom not being able to satisfy our desire, or from getting what we desire then\nlosing it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contemplate human suffering. Allow yourself to feel the\ntragic, heart-rending experiences of others and your own life as well. Embrace,\nfeel, and truly experience what you and others have felt.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allow deep compassion to arise within your heart. It is wise\nfor us to perceive our suffering as a form of karmic purification, because we\nlearn through our suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the welfare and benefit of all living beings, we should\nmake a firm commitment to renounce samsara<\/em>, a firm commitment to\nstudy and practice the Dharma [spiritual teachings] until we attain joyous\nenlightenment; liberation from suffering.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through skilful practice of Dharma, there is an end to suffering (the cycle of samsara<\/em>) and there is lasting happiness. Therefore, make a firm dedication to Dharma practice, renouncing the suffering of cyclic existence, determined not to be overcome by delusion, and not abandoning other beings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>: Used with permission from Neil Cohen, Naljor Prison Dharma Service (https:\/\/sourcepointglobaloutreach.org\/naljor-prison-dharma-service<\/a>\/<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above text was taken from the publication entitled “The Heart of Dharma Collection”<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Reflection:
Reflection: The suffering of human beings is mainly produced by the mind. Therefore, we need to examine our mind each day. We also need to train our mind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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