mikkel_the_dane
My own religion
But that is not suffering to me. That is hurting. How I deal with hurting, can lead to suffering.
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Your Suffering
- Thread starter SalixIncendium
- Start date
But that is not suffering to me. That is hurting. How I deal with hurting, can lead to suffering.
Moonjuice
In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
I have recently discovered long distance hiking; spending many days alone in the wilderness, climbing up and down mountains, covering hundreds of miles, surviving on whatever I can carry on my back. At times, this self imposed suffering (try walking 20 miles with shin splints) can be nearly unbearable. I suffer in this way because that is the price you sometimes have to pay, if your goal is to experience locations that are not accessible without a helicopter. The solitude strips away all the stress and pressure associated with the hustle and bustle of scratching out a living. Instead, you can experience the world in a way that is simple, natural. When you have no cell service, no internet, no noise, no human contact, it's amazingly refreshing. A cold drink of clean, filtered stream water tastes completely different after walking 15 miles in 100F Arizona heat, than a glass of water from your fridge, sitting on the couch with the A/C blasting away. One experience you don't even consider, and the other is literally the best part of your day. With that in mind, I am obviously responsible for this suffering. I'm planning a 230 mile 14 day trip on the Arizona Trail in October as we speak. I know suffering is inevitable and I'm looking forward to it!
Secret Chief
Vetted Member
I've just got another book on Nagarjuna by Jan Westerhoff. Here's hoping. (Actually I think @mikkel_the_dane is an online account of his - he has written a book called The Non-Existence of the Real World
)
mikkel_the_dane
My own religion
I've just got another book on Nagarjuna by Jan Westerhoff. Here's hoping. (Actually I think @mikkel_the_dane is an online account of his - he has written a book called The Non-Existence of the Real World
Well, only time will tell. But I doubt that I am Jan Westerhoff. But who knows for sure.
Here is the joke about existence, real and the world. They are all constructs in the mind. Now to me they appear to work and that is good enough for me.
Secret Chief
Vetted Member
I agree.Well, only time will tell. But I doubt that I am Jan Westerhoff. But who knows for sure.
Here is the joke about existence, real and the world. They are all constructs in the mind. Now to me they appear to work and that is good enough for me.
We Never Know
No Slack
Suffering has variables and what ones sees as suffering, someone else might see as a blessing.
For example someone used to driving a porsche might feel they are suffering if they had to drive a pinto whereas someone who had to walk everywhere might feel blessed to drive the pinto.
I very rarely suffer. On the rare occasion when I hit some karma that I'm not able to meditate through, do a tantra about, or otherwise resolve it, I'll suffer for longer than I might like.
Obviously, I'm totally responsible for my own suffering, either because of past actions (karma), or because I don't have the insight to blame myself for the role I did in the moment. Pointing fingers outward is a false way to look at it.
This idea is supported by the happy joyous quadrapilegic person and the healthy wealthy grump.
In my view
Colt
Well-Known Member
Suffering is part of life, part of Gods creation. Like the nerves in our tongue so we wont bite it off. We don't have to bite it but but the nerves serve as an inhibitor just in case.
Often our problems are of our own making although we prefer blaming others. So we have the ability to prevent and alleviate suffering.
God could remove suffering but its serves a purpose according to his will and wisdom.
firedragon
Veteran Member
You are spelling out the chathur arya sachcha
1) Why = Satan
2) Who is responsible = Satan and one's personal disregard for others.
3) Ability to end suffering is found at Revelation 22:2 aka Jesus coming to the rescue - Rev. 22:20
I find Not only could God, but that God will remove suffering.
As far as serving a purpose: Remember Satan's challenge to Job -> Job 2:4-5
Satan challenged Job that under adverse conditions he would Not serve God.
By way of extension then we are all challenged by Satan.
Touch our 'flesh'... (loose physical health) and we also would Not serve God.
Both Job and Jesus under adverse conditions proved Satan a liar and so can we.
Once the issue of Sovereignty (who governs best) is settled, then we will see the fulfillment of Revelation 22:2.
There will be ' healing ' for earth's nations. Healing to the point as described at Isaiah 35th chapter.
This is why we are all invited to pray the invitation of Rev. 22:20 for Jesus to come !
Come to end suffering, and come to end ' enemy death ' as per 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Isaiah 25:8
God made everything. God knows everything.
Some praise God because an alligator didn't finish eating them. God made the alligator. God knew that the alligator was trying to eat you. When praying "if you want to make a call....please hang up and try your call again." (no one there).
Did pain begin after Adam and Eve sinned? If so, did God make a pact with the devil to vex mankind? Isn't cooperating with the devil the same thing as being evil?
Mankind is made of meat. Carnivores eat meat. Did God make us to be eaten?
When scientists make a cure (like the COVID vaccine), theists say "thank God for making the vaccine." In the movie, "Lilies of the Field" the nuns get a free worker to build their church. The worker said "I built this" but the nuns insist that he had nothing to do with it....he was merely a pawn of God, doing God's bidding. They gave no recognition of his kindness and hard work.
No wonder God is thought to be so kind and merciful, since the accomplishments of mankind are often attributed to God.
How do we know that God is good? How do we know that God made everything?
Should we allow theists to tell lies for God? When a theist asserts that there is no Global Warming, they look for reasons to support their position. When a scientist studies Global Warming, they are not trying to find facts that discredit theists, they merely want to know the truth. Theist researchers might have no education, or might have educations in theology. They do not have vast scientific backgrounds nor advanced degrees.
Debates rage on....theists denying Global Warming, and voting in vast numbers for their candidates. In the mean time, Global Warming is about to destroy life on earth. Theists are not worried about ecology (more fires, more severe and more numerous hurricanes). They believe that they will rapture to heaven, leaving behind a toxic waste dump where once God's beautiful natural world stood. But, they ruin the planet for everyone....not just for theists. They assert their lies about Global Warming because it disagrees with their "party line."
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
I'd say I get in what I put out. I tend to have a "I bet this would happen if I did that..." and come to find out it came true. Of I would have avoided that action it wouldn't have bit me in the buttocks sometime down the line.
I see suffering and it's counterpart intagrading and moving in and out of each other.
How to determine how to handle suffering and be grateful of good things at one time, I don't know. It's all one movement.
Martin
Spam, wonderful spam (bloody vikings!)
Translation?
firedragon
Veteran Member
Sorry about that. Chathur = 4. Arya = Arya. Sachchani = Truth(s)
Commonly known as the four noble truths of Buddhism. The OP is exactly spelling it out. Duka, Duka hethu. Nivana. Maga. Sadness or suffering, the reason for it, redemption or escape from this suffering, and the way to do it.
Thats the four Arya truths.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
I am kid of jealous. All that sounds good to me and it is certainly preferable to all the suffering I endure serving God.
I would love to do all that if I was not afraid of being alone, and I live in a state where there would be endless opportunities to get out into the wilderness. I am as fit as a fiddle, just as healthy as I was when younger. I'd be out there if only I did not have so many responsibilities at home and if only I had someone to travel with.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
Because suffering is inherent in life in a physical world. God set it up that way.
That varies. Sometimes me, sometimes someone else, sometimes nobody.
But ultimately God is responsible because God set it up so people would suffer.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
Sometimes other people can and do help.
Perhaps God can help but nobody can know, they can only believe.
Edited to add:
Sometimes I choose so suffer for my religion or for those I love, my husband and cats.
Suffering is much different when it is a choice we make rather than something that happens to us.
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