Suffering - Pain With a Purpose - The Causes of Suffering Part 02

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In India, a simple method is used to catch monkeys. A banana is

placed inside a large pot that has a narrow neck. A curious monkey

will come to examine the pot. When he discovers the fruit inside, he

reaches in to grasp it. Holding the banana, he can no longer remove

his hand through the narrow neck of the pot. In his greed, the

unfortunate monkey will not let go of the fruit, even though it

results in his capture.

 

We are like that monkey when we are held captive by our wrong

desires. We grasp for material treasure, but in the long run our

craving gives us only suffering. Selfish desire prevents us from from

being satisfied with ourselves as we are. It keeps us from realizing

our true divine nature. We hold tantalizing images before our eyes

and then we suffer because we cannot attain them. Desire keeps our

minds spinning. It allows us no opportunity to find peace.

 

" People suffer because they have all kinds of unreasonable desires

and they pine to fulfill them and they fail. They attach too much

value to the objective world. It is only when attachment increases

that you suffer pain and grief " Baba

 

Suffering also results from our past misdeeds. Through many lives

lived in ignorance of spiritual principles, we have built a store of

karma. The consequences of those previous actions pursue us like an

unpaid debt. Through carelessness or evil intent, we may have added

to the suffering of others, and even in this life the results seek us

out. After the last log is thrown on a fire, the fire continues to

burn for some time. But when we gain detachment, we can be unaffected

by the heart. Usually suffering does not originate in external

events; it stems from our attachment to results. Two people who

suffer a similar loss may be affected very differently.

 

" Strike a green tamarind fruit with a stone and you cause harm to the

pulp inside, but strike the ripe fruit and see what happens. It is

the dry rind that falls off; nothing affects the pulp or the seed.

The ripe sadhaka (aspirant) does not feel the blows of fate or

fortune; it is the unripe man who is wounded by every blow " Baba

 

Joy and suffering are inseparable companions. Both are natural

consequences of our attachment to objects of desire. When we get the

things we want, we are happy. If we do not get them, we are sad. When

we acquire inner peace, we are not buffeted by the ups and downs of

the world. We then acquire spiritual peace that is not conditioned by

desire for earthly prosperity. With time, we learn to accept joy and

grief with equal mindedness. Then we avoid unnecessary suffering.

 

" Joy and grief are the obverse and reverse of the same experience.

Joy is when grief ends; grief is when joy ends. When you invite a

blind man for dinner, you must set on the table two plates, for he

comes along with another man who will lead him in. Grief and joy are

inseparable companions. " Baba

 

Continue..Suffering-Pain With a Purpose-Tests of Character Part 03