This past few months, I've been very distant and observant of people, and their emotions. I'm trying to understand where the suffering of humans is coming from.
I received various answers and most of them are because of outside forces.
So instead, I ask within.
What is it that makes humans suffer?
Is it because of fear?
Is it because life is indeed unfair?
Or is it because of something deeper yet obvious?
Today, I woke up with a heavy feeling in my chest. Something from my childhood keeps on flashing on the screen of my memories and of course, I don't like it. I'm practicing unattachment in everything that comes into my life now, but at this moment, the pain in my chest keeps on getting heavier. So I'm aware that I'm doing something wrong with it.
Then, I came across one of Aaron Abke's podcasts, entitled "The Pain and Pleasure Paradox".
In this podcast, I suddenly realized that what I'm doing today is not practicing unattachment. Instead, I'm trying to run away from the pain. Thus, my emotions are amplifying it by creating the desire for pleasure (ie. happiness).
So what is the difference between the two?
When you run away from pain, it means that you are disregarding it and not allowing it to surface in your energy field. You just want to forget it like it's not a part of you.
When you practice non-attachment, it means that you are allowing the pain to flow within you without attaching emotions and creating scenarios in your head. You just flow to the moment without resistance and judgment. You feel to heal.
When something good happens, allow it.
When something bad happens, allow it.
The freedom is this:
If it comes, let it.
If it goes, let it.
This is non-resistance.
You are not trying to control the changes that are taking place in your life. Instead, you are allowing it and embracing it. You are not trying to change the situation. Instead, you are changing how you are responding to it.
It may appear very easy but you will find it hard to practice when you think of practicing it. Why? Because that is also a resistance. Simply surrender to the moment and flow. Do not try to understand it with your thinking mind.
Push and pull on reality will always create suffering. But to flow with reality, to become one with it, is where true happiness is found.
What does it mean?
Remember when a lot of people were depressed due to the sudden lockdown because of the pandemic? That is because we are resisting the change. We are trying to pull back our previous lives while pushing our desires/dreams to be fulfilled.
During those moments, few of us appreciated the moment to finally be able to make time with our families, and ourselves. Few of us appreciated the moment to connect with ourselves which we disregarded because of a busy life of running towards our desires every single day.
Running towards our desire is escaping or running away from pain (fear). It is an unending hamster wheel. And this is what human life is now. Unending desire to run away from unending fears. This is also why some people cannot see the blessings that are already in front of them – because of desiring more.
Remember that pleasure and pain are just one. We cannot have pleasure without the challenges of life that will deliver us the pleasure that we desire.
The more attached you are to pleasure, the more averse you will be to pain. The more you need something, the more it hurts not to have it. Even if you get it, your mind will direct you to another desire to get more pleasure.
This is why we suffer. It is always a choice.
We don't need to resist the challenges of life as lessons will be clearer if we simply embrace them. It is not given to us to make us suffer but for us to realize that we can always choose.
If we want to end the suffering, we can simply choose to not participate in this game by living in the present moment.
Don't resent the past. Don't fear the future as this is what creates the cycle of Pain and Pleasure.
Accept and flow with whatever comes to you.
There is your freedom.
To be free of not needing anything is a testimony that you are complete.
Because we all are.
Comments
Post a Comment