Christopher Brainerd blogs about his journey into Buddhism

This is a collection of Christopher Brainerd's ramblings written as a novice student of Buddhism.
My primary practice is Jodo Shinshu, yet I ramble on many spiritual topics.
Some of what follows is original, some are quotes or summations for which I provide the source.
Gassho!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Suffering from Suffering

Instead of asking: "Why do bad things happen?" ask: "What is it about me that attracts suffering?"

Instead of asking: "Did I make the right choice?" ask: "Can fear ever make the right choice?"

Suffering doesn't prove you are something, it proves you'd rather be a 'someone' who is miserable rather than be a 'no-one' who is free and happy.

Suffering doesn't validate others are wrong. It proves you'll do anything, including self-destruction, to think you are right.

Suffering from suffering doesn't prove you want to end suffering, it proves you are afraid of ending it.

-Guy Finley, "Letting Go"
Posted by Chris Brainerd at 1:58 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)