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Randy Scott, a friend who graduated from high school with me and now identifies as Buddhist wrote the following. I recommend his stuff to anyone here who is interested in Buddhism, Zen, meditation, etc. https://medium.com/@randyscott_48527/bless-the-pain-4d73e82296d6#.jn3m30xdm He makes it sound like we should be seeking pain at every opportunity. He said:
Quote:In my life, it’s not the good times that have provided the growth and stretching of my soul, it’s been the pain, the challenges, the difficult times. It’s been the times when I wasn’t sure I’d make it or not. It’s been the soul-harrowing experiences that have been most instrumental in bringing me to where I am today. For that I bless the pain.
That seems like the definition of a masochistic life.
For me it is the looking back & knowing I came through it maybe. I never want to experience it again or look for the next pain for growth.
I have to think about this more.
The good news about what he is saying is that the bad stuff helped to make you into the more mature/fully developed version of yourself. A kind of what doesn’t break you makes you stronger sort of mentality. There is both good and bad associated with that mindset.
It’s interesting how people read things differently. Fwiw, I see no seeking of pain but just a recognition of the growth that occurs because of it. I might say, instead, that he is saying not to avoid pain just to avoid it – and certainly don’t condemn it. When it happens, bless it – or let it bless you, might be a better summary.
I’ll be the one to give the standard, well worn comment. There should be a balance in life, living at the extremes is unhealthy. I think the same goes for the pain we experience. Going through life experiencing little to no pain doesn’t seem possible but I do feel there can be moments where the pain becomes so intense that it fails to make people stronger… it breaks them. No man is an island but many times when we experience pain we do so alone.
Quote:If you’re reading this, you have made it through 100% of the challenges you’ve had in your life.
Is the simple act of drawing breath for another day evidence of making it through a challenge? Maybe. I don’t know.
Quote:thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
I knew the concept seemed familiar.
I have a dear friend whom I admire greatly who lost his oldest daughter to a freak surgery accident – leaving behind a husband and young daughter. In a HPG lesson one day, we were sharing Gospel lessons that we had learned in our lives. He said, “I have learned that I can draw nearest to God in my time of extreme pain.
I only wish I hadn’t had to learn that lesson in the way I did.” It was one of the most profound things I have heard in my life.
“Sufficient unto tomorrow is the “pain” thereof,” so I do not advocate praying for trials or pain. They will come naturally. I do believe in accepting the inevitability of pain, and trying to let it bless me – but I also recognize my relatively pain-free life and absolutely do not criticize anyone who can’t feel blessed by extreme pain.
For me, the circumstances you describe, I have to get beyond the anger before God can teach the lesson I’m supposed to learn. Anger is an interesting emotion. It is also terribly destructive.
It does pander to the idea that God is a sadist. Roy wrote:
The good news about what he is saying is that the bad stuff helped to make you into the more mature/fully developed version of yourself. A kind of what doesn’t break you makes you stronger sort of mentality.There is both good and bad associated with that mindset.
One good thing I see is the possibility of reducing fear and anxiety about possible pain. I don’t know any Buddhists, but the ability to live now and without fear seems to be a strength.Quote:In my life, it’s not the good times that have provided the growth and stretching of my soul, it’s been the pain, the challenges, the difficult times. It’s been the times when I wasn’t sure I’d make it or not. It’s been the soul-harrowing experiences that have been most instrumental in bringing me to where I am today. For that I bless the pain.
There’s a phenomenal Chinese film that explores this concept, called “To Live”. It follows the life of a family through the Chinese cultural revolution. The way the family lives through and is shaped by their various crises illustrates how the things we treasure in life wouldn’t be the same without the pain. The film uses the same musical leitmotif for both their happiest and most horrible moments.If you get the chance, I highly recommend watching it. It seems to perpetually be on youtube with English subtitles.
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