“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”
What’s the difference among us when we come across pain ?
Simply, some people, who are overwhelmed by their pain, lose control over them
and are controlled by pain. They begin to panic with frustration and seek
instant solution. While others cope and manage pain simply by accepting. The
realistic perspective on pain, no matter how harsh and painful, keeps us
mentally, emotionally, and spiritually sound.
“The nature of rains is the same, but it makes thorns grow
in the marshes and flowers in the gardens”.
“Suffering is an emotional response; pain is a neurological
one.”
More Suffering occurs just because of basic tendency to
hold on ! ! It is worth realising that pain is more of a psychological
phenomenon than physical. Just an emotional state of mind.
Mullah Nassrudin was asked after his wife’s operation : “How
is your wife now ? Has she fully recovered now from the operation ?” And
he answered : “No, not yet. She is still talking about it.”
The gift of pain :
From health’s perspective, pain is a wake-up call ! Through
pain, we are educated to understand the iron laws of the universe. Pain gives
us a signal to realise that something is wrong, something needs to change, and
problem needs treatment. Unless we experience pain, we would not be compelled
to cure and would rot !
For instance, a person who enjoys eating sweets may later
suffer from diabetes. But with the signals of warning in form of little pain,
sickness and weakness, he can control and cure the same by changing diet,
taking exercise, etc.
The pain phenomenon in life makes us wiser, strengthens us,
preserves us and teaches us compassion. It just helps in regulating desire and
gradually extirpating desire.
No pain, no gain.
Even though we can’t always choose what happens to us, we
can choose not to be a victim. Pain and pleasure are experienced, not by the
body but always by the mind. Just by changing the perception towards pain, one
remains unruffled in all situations. Enjoying pleasures is a worthwhile
objective. However, a careful scrutiny will show us that there is structural
error in our thinking. Pleasure and pain keep on swapping. Nature has provided
us with these two feelings to help us in our growth and development. Joy and
sorrow are both essential to light the rainbow in the sky of human life. I
have always regarded adversity as a challenge, and great opportunity to learn
and improve. Pleasant experiences make life delightful, but they don’t lead to
growth in themselves. Pain throws light on our own weakness, fault and
mistakes. Suffering identifies area where you need to grow and be transformed.
Just changing our attitude towards pain can change our life
When we face sufferings in the right spirit, we release the
hidden potential in our spirit, from unconscious depth to surface. To react to
adversity with bitterness defeats the Divine plan. Growth and spiritual
evolution depend upon very special qualities like tolerance, perseverance and
endurance.
Pain is the sensation which eventually helps us in growing
and expanding our consciousness. To establish in pure consciousness, is the
essence of our life. The suffering with quiet, steady and concentrated mind
provides a deep understanding of life which in turn helps us to see life
objectively with witness like attitude. One moves towards detachment,
disinterestedness and attains Sakshibhav. This attitude gradually elevates the
soul to realise that there is something super which is just beyond body, mind
and intellect.
That is ‘Atma’, our true nature ! Which is real, eternal and
blissful !
From spiritual perspective, adversities are meant to
strengthen our resolve, test our faith and enhance our determination to move
Godward. It is the pain or adversity that helps us to develop our spiritual
muscles. Rather, adversity is essential for our spiritual progress.
Thank God ! There is pain !
