Suffering.

We only suffer when we don't get what we want! It sound frivolous but it is the reality of our life. We hold on to things after their time and so naturally meet the consequence of that. Our difficulties, no matter how much we can create and maintain a story in our head, is only about that.

One thing we can do, if we consider ourselves to be disciples of Dhamma to support us in a moment of stress or difficulty, is to go to a quiet place where we will be alone and ask ourselves one simple question: 'In this moment, what is it that I am holding on to?'

The answer is always the same and it is is: I am holding on to the idea that life and this moment of life shouldn't be like this! 

There, right there is our suffering, the rejection of the reality of the moment.

Look, it is like this and it's O.K. It may be painful, but it's still O.K.

And look at you, you are a fully formed and complete human being. Your potential for happiness is enormous, and only requires one thing from you, to let go of the past and your identification with it.

The whole of our experience of life is about beginnings and endings, moment after moment after moment, from the grossest to the most subtle, but in every instance we are helpless to make things stable. This moment is already moving away before we can even attempt to hold it. Our Dhamma path reminds us that it is better to celebrate what we had rather than grieve for what (we think) we lost.

Only we are responsible for our own happiness, so look to be happy yourself, to find the things in life that fulfil you and serve the world with your own love, rather than looking for it from others.

Offered with love for the benefit of all beings.

 

May all beings be happy.