The Rhythm of Pain and Pleasure

As human beings, we tend to
realise happiness only through experiences of pleasure. Happiness is a
psychological state of mind that portrays enthusiasm and exuberance in all that
we do. But as soon as pain sets in, we tend to shrink and shrug seeking
providential help and support to live through that phase. It has not been
possible to understand as to why there are imbalances in times of pain and
pleasure.

If one carefully observes and
becomes sensitive to the whole process of living, the reasons for going through
these phases of pain and pleasure can be identified. But then, each one of us
is caught up in myriad ways and methods of living that we fail to understand,
or, fathom the depths in the rhythm of experiencing pain and pleasure.

Why do we need to understand this
rhythm? Is it because we have to shorten the phase of pain or eliminate it
altogether? If so, let us accept that it is an artificial method that goes
against the natural ways of living. It is a fact of life that all living
creatures have to go through these phases whether they want it or not. It is
healthy to accept that our lives are ordained with both pleasure and pain.

While having accepted that pain
and pleasure are part of life, we need to delve into the details of it so that
our awareness builds, to go through the process with equanimity. This then
provides the required space not just for ourselves but also builds standards for
a moral and robust society.

Phases of pleasure and pain are
incidental to the actions of the past. Call it the cause and effect of karma
theory or the Newton’s third law of motion, the pattern of the inevitable
cannot be brushed aside. Any attempt to artificially ward off evil will have
its repercussion of disturbing the rhythm with further consequences flowing
from it. In the alternative, it provides us a great sense of responsibility and
maturity to accept pain gracefully as a necessary part of our life. It brings in the required
humbleness to balance arrogance and pride that we experience in phases of pleasure.

We have the parable of Kisa
Gotami and Buddha where Kisa returns without the mustard seeds from a household
untouched by death. Let us accept that pleasure and pain with all its rhythm
are part of life and accept this fact
with grace. Let us not have the choice but let us go through `pain and pleasure’ with absolute
awareness. This helps us in building psychological strength to go through any
crisis and act with humility in benevolent situations without any trace of
arrogance or pride.

The rhythm of pain and pleasure,
when accepted with absolute awareness, has a great deal of impact on our day to
day living, which has a positive influence on our health. A matured
psychological thought process sets in, resulting in preventing us from over
indulgence. Apart from having a benign influence on our health, we can also
realise our full potential and inner creativity by accepting the rhythm of
`pain and pleasure’.

There is so much to fathom from
what people have said of pain and pleasure:

“The end is the beginning of all
things, suppressed and hidden, awaiting to be released through the rhythm of
pain and pleasure…Pain itself destroys pain. Suffering itself frees man from
suffering.”- Jiddu Krishnamurthy

“On attaining the state of
non-attachment and nonaversion, the soul becomes indifferent to worldly pleasure
and pain. ” – Jain wisdom

It is often seen that people
appreciate listening to what others have said and what others have got to say.
But to digest and put these into practice, requires tremendous energy and
conviction. One must be willing to let go. This state of mind brings equanimity
in both pleasure and pain, and this will pave the way for understanding the
essence of life.

While all through our life we are
taught to gain, to accumulate and have comfort,
we fail to understand that there are several natural ethical ways of making a living. We are more secure in natural
actions and surroundings, but every artificial and conditioned behaviour
carries with it the attachment, and hence the aspiration for pleasure with a
sense of exclusion to pain. It is a forgone conclusion that life has to be
lived with all its travails and triumphs and the detached mind alone
understands the rhythm of life in its whole perspective.

When something is done naturally
and acted upon with conviction, it does not create `fear’. This allows one to
accept any outcome whether it ends in pain or pleasure. Everything is important
and significant, absolute attention on the process means it brings in no fear of the outcome. This develops an attitude of resilience and one remains calm in
every situation of adversity and stress. Equally so, every achievement or
progress is looked upon as a team effort or a support from providence.

If we want to be ethical and
bring balance into our lives, let us all try to provide equal space for both
pleasure and pain, by understanding its rhythm.