Suffering.
- clearstreamzendo
- Sep 14
- 2 min read
This week’s topic for reflection is suffering. There are many different ways we suffer. As I reflect on suffering I see two main types. We suffer due to our bodies being ill or broken and from something harmful coming from our environment. This is our own suffering. We also suffer from witnessing the suffering of others. I don’t know which is more difficult or painful.
When the suffering is our own we have two options. We can be in opposition to it trying to ignore it, push it away or escape from it. Or we can be patient and experience it as a necessary hardship allowing the natural process of healing to work its magic. In other words ride with the pain and suffering and work with it.
Openly witnessing the suffering of others is a different type of suffering. This witnessing can be approached as something that is wrong, can’t be allowed and must be fixed. In other words be in opposition to it. Another way is to see the others situation and suffering, to care and to be open to how “I” feel. Crying might be involved. Perhaps the desire to help in anyway possible. I see this as a good, healthy suffering.
Suffering is a given as long as we’re human. There is no escape from suffering. Compassion is simply being open and free to experience what is present. It’s actually beautiful, in a painful way. It’s the ability to genuinely love through joyful or crying eyes.
What’s your relationship with suffering?
Please join us for Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion of the topic for reflection blog from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357
Passcode: 278259
Gassho,
Futai
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