The ARt of Suffering

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For some of us on this planet, merely not getting what we want can cause us to suffer. Especially for those of us used to getting what we want. It is this self entitlement that causes justified anger, attachment, greed, and fear. Sometimes we want something so badly we are willing to manipulate, lie, cheat, give up our power and great potential and duty and life purpose. There are others who are so used to being denied pleasure, no matter how small, and they must sustain themselves with very little and be content. They have learned to tolerate what many cannot. Truth is, some of us would rather die than give of the comforts and luxuries we have become so accustomed to. Rather die, or rather give up hope and faith in the Spirit path for a more fearful, conditioned and materialistic one. In fact, some would believe that it is the role of government to hold to our best interest as a nation and to sacrifice other nations and it's people to preserve our "way of life." Our way of life is simply this, a denial of all things painful. However, this avoidance of immediate suffering can only cause greater suffering in the end. Just look at our financial down turn and you see evidence of an impulsive, indulgent society hungry for power and willing to risk too much for it. False power is what money can give you. Do not be mistaken that it is real power. When we run from suffering and are unwilling to tolerate it in our lives, we are fundamentally weak and ultimately powerless. We are like children who don't want to grow up. Only through the rite of passage of suffering can we truly find the power, peace and happiness we are so ambitiously seeking through the material world. Looking outside ourselves instead of in... it is a misguided path to more suffering. Only the path inward leads to true joy and everlasting peace.

Our suffering is a rite of passage we must go through one way or another..... either together or on our own. Suffering is just a part of life, and there is no reason to blame ourselves or each other, or anyone else because we have to suffer, that is just immature. We must accept our suffering, embrace the pain and allow the higher power to transmute it or it will just get stronger. We must pay attention to our suffering or it will kill us inside.

Suffering embraced makes a soul stronger, the inner fire burn and the spirit light shine... it is wood for the flame. Suffering oppressed, masked and resisted rots away the healthy inner core. If we are ever to become one with the Universe, we must learn to feel and not shut our hearts. Our only connection to our true self is in the very kernal of our deepest pain. Out of that pain arises Compassion, love and finally true joy.