When we hear the word suffering, we seldom paint a positive mental image.
In fact, the very thought of suffering weighs on my soul, brings up negative memories of personal suffering, and reminds me of the painful suffering of others that I have either witnessed second-hand or learned about through secondary sources.
I think we can all agree that a lot of suffering takes place in this world.
I think we can all agree that a lot of suffering takes place in this world.
However, the other day while listening to a podcast, my conceptions of suffering shifted.
The podcast was called "On Being with Krista Tippet". In this particular episode, Krista talks about a world-renowned Buddhist monk by the name of Thich Nhat Hanh (if you don't know who he his, look him up: he is amazing) and features some clips from an interview she conducted with him about 10 years ago.
As I cleaned my room and listened to his soft spoken responses on peace, happiness, and being presently engaged in life, one particular segment caught my attention:
"That [being mindful and present in life] is a miracle, because you understand the nature of suffering, you know the role of suffering, the role that suffering plays in life, and you are not trying to run away from suffering anymore, and you know how to make use of suffering in order to build peace and happiness. It's like growing lotus flowers: you cannot grow lotus flowers on the marble, you have to grow them on the mud. Without mud, you cannot have lotus flowers. Without suffering, you have no ways in order to learn how to be understanding and compassionate. That's why my definition of the kingdom of God is not a place where suffering is not. Because I could not like to go to a place where there is no suffering, I could not like to send my children to a place where there is no suffering. Because in such a place, they have no ways to learn how to be understanding and compassionate. And the Kingdom of God is a place where there is understanding and compassion. And therefore, suffering should exist."
Krista, the interviewer, pointed out that this idea of suffering as existing in God's Kingdom is quite different from some religious perspectives, which might argue that the Kingdom of God is a place where we have transcended suffering.
I was equally caught off guard.
Nevertheless, Thich Nhat Hanh continued:
"Suffering and happiness, they are both organic. Like a flower and garbage. If the flower is on her way to become a piece of garbage, then a garbage can be on her way to becoming a flower.... I think we have suffered a lot during the 20th century, we have created a lot of garbage... there was a lot of violence, and hatred, and separation. And we don't know how to handle the garbage that we have created. And then we have a chance to create a new century for peace. That is why how it is very important for us to to learn how to change the garbage we have created into flowers."
I was extremely touched by these principles.
We as humans suffer.
We even have the ability to cause suffering.
It is this inevitable truth that is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Because of our suffering, we cry, mourn, face deep depressions, and might often feel hopeless.
Yet because of our suffering, we rejoice, we laugh, we experience great happiness, and have the ability to experience undying optimism in the most unusual of circumstances.
Additionally, because of suffering, we connect with ourselves and those around us, and we become more understanding of differences that might normally create distance.
Like the lotus flower, we grow, develop, and mature.
We become, as Thich Nhat Hanh put it, "fully alive... You can get in touch with the wonders of life that can nourish you and heal you. And you are stronger, you are more solid in order to handle the suffering inside of you and around you... you can recognize, embrace, and handle the pain, the sorrow, in you and around you to bring relief. And if you continue with consideration and insight, you will be able to transform the suffering inside and help transform the suffering around you."
"That [being mindful and present in life] is a miracle, because you understand the nature of suffering, you know the role of suffering, the role that suffering plays in life, and you are not trying to run away from suffering anymore, and you know how to make use of suffering in order to build peace and happiness. It's like growing lotus flowers: you cannot grow lotus flowers on the marble, you have to grow them on the mud. Without mud, you cannot have lotus flowers. Without suffering, you have no ways in order to learn how to be understanding and compassionate. That's why my definition of the kingdom of God is not a place where suffering is not. Because I could not like to go to a place where there is no suffering, I could not like to send my children to a place where there is no suffering. Because in such a place, they have no ways to learn how to be understanding and compassionate. And the Kingdom of God is a place where there is understanding and compassion. And therefore, suffering should exist."
Krista, the interviewer, pointed out that this idea of suffering as existing in God's Kingdom is quite different from some religious perspectives, which might argue that the Kingdom of God is a place where we have transcended suffering.
I was equally caught off guard.
Nevertheless, Thich Nhat Hanh continued:
"Suffering and happiness, they are both organic. Like a flower and garbage. If the flower is on her way to become a piece of garbage, then a garbage can be on her way to becoming a flower.... I think we have suffered a lot during the 20th century, we have created a lot of garbage... there was a lot of violence, and hatred, and separation. And we don't know how to handle the garbage that we have created. And then we have a chance to create a new century for peace. That is why how it is very important for us to to learn how to change the garbage we have created into flowers."
I was extremely touched by these principles.
We as humans suffer.
We even have the ability to cause suffering.
It is this inevitable truth that is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Because of our suffering, we cry, mourn, face deep depressions, and might often feel hopeless.
Yet because of our suffering, we rejoice, we laugh, we experience great happiness, and have the ability to experience undying optimism in the most unusual of circumstances.
Additionally, because of suffering, we connect with ourselves and those around us, and we become more understanding of differences that might normally create distance.
Like the lotus flower, we grow, develop, and mature.
We become, as Thich Nhat Hanh put it, "fully alive... You can get in touch with the wonders of life that can nourish you and heal you. And you are stronger, you are more solid in order to handle the suffering inside of you and around you... you can recognize, embrace, and handle the pain, the sorrow, in you and around you to bring relief. And if you continue with consideration and insight, you will be able to transform the suffering inside and help transform the suffering around you."
We also realize, as he so eloquently stated, that "you are a miracle, and everything you touch could be a miracle, the orange in your hand, the blue sky, the face of a child, everything becomes a wonder. And in fact, they are wonders of life that are available in the here and now."
Suffering is not something to be shoved under a rug, shamed, perpetuated, or ridiculed.
Rather, it is a beautiful fact of life that is meant to be felt, empathized with, and honestly expressed.
In doing so we can bring about amazing personal and widespread change.
So here's to suffering, for happiness, peace, and understanding in this world were not meant to be passively realized during the absence of sorrow in a far distant future.
Such eloquent truths.
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