There is a statement once, a teaching, by a very special man – Life is suffering.
There is no one who has not suffered. Some are not aware of it; others are intimately acquainted with the pain in their heart. Others seek – they look for more love, more money, more happiness, satisfaction.
And yet that is only the beginning of his teaching. The remainder sends a message of hope – there is a way out.
Please do not think that because there is pain in your heart, fear in your mind, that there is something wrong with you. Everything I have learnt over the past year points to one simple lesson: the most personal, the darkest and the most painful – is also the most universal.
Please do not be ashamed of your pain, or run away from it. Without it, you cannot grow. Hold it; look deeply into it; love it like a mother comforting her crying baby. With understanding and compassion, you can begin to heal your wounds, and the wounds of the world.
I have been receiving many emails from people lately. They think they are sharing their stories of shame, of sadness, of pain. And yet there is something I see, something they cannot yet see in themselves – all I see is courage and compassion.
Those in pain cannot see themselves for what they are. They cannot see the beauty and the strength they possess. It has been hidden in the haze, covered by the layers of false messages, obscured by the pain.
Many speak of my courage in undertaking my journey. And yet what does my courage have to do with it? It is your own courage that you see, that you are responding to. There is a basic premise in the rich and complex psychology of Carl Jung, it is simple: you see in others what is already in yourself.
Recognise that in yourself. Have respect for your courage. Remember it, always.
Remember, also, to have compassion for yourself. Be soft, be gentle. You are the first person who deserves it, no matter what you believe, no matter what you think you have done. So what if you have been hurtful, spiteful? You were hurtful because that is all you had inside you. Begin to nourish yourself, fill yourself with love – by and by the hurtfulness and pettiness will disappear. What will pour out of you when you have replaced the hate with kindness?
Many teachers talk of the wings of wisdom and compassion. You cannot have one without the other. I used to think wisdom was enough – but I was a fool. I had slowly increasing insight into the human condition, and when I began to look into my own heart, I was afraid and repulsed. I saw the wounds and the weaknesses. It was garish, a mangled mess. So many times, I despaired. I got angry. I pretended the wounds didn’t exist. I did everything I could to run away.
Compassion was lacking, and that meant I could not stay to my journey. A surgeon needs a soft touch when he operates – anything less, and the wounds bleed even more with his scrutiny. Anything less, and we will be overwhelmed when everything we have been afraid of comes pouring out.
Remember always, as you go inwards, to have compassion for yourself.
I still don’t know what this post is about, or what its purpose is – I have never posted anything like this before. But it has been on my mind for so long, and I apologise if it is irrelevant to some readers. Perhaps the only reason I wrote this – is as a reminder, to both you and me – a dedication to all those who have been, who are in pain.
Further Reading: The Blossoming of Love
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Man, this is one timely post, you nailed it, just right when I needed something like this.
Thank you
Think you got it just right dude. Sometimes you just have to say what you feel and no worry about there being a point.
Peace
Albert, who cares why you wrote it. The point is, you said it perfectly:
“Remember always, as you go inwards, to have compassion for yourself.”
I hope you are listening to your own words.
With joy, my friend…..
These words are so powerful, and so timely. Thanks for pouring them out.
Albert! I think you are really maturing. Good for you to have the courage to write this post.
It also seems to me, through writing your blog and reading and responding to your readers, you have sharpened your intuition to the level you can sense your Higher Power. Our Higher Power doesn’t always fit nicely into our existing reasoning, so it’s scary sometimes, but it can bring true wisdom to us.
Keep going on your journey!
Blessings,
Very nice post. I am beginning to think that the only problem with pain and suffering is that we resist & try to avoid it.
I scribbled something related on boredom and loneliness recently: http://thoughtsintime.co.za/20.....k-for-you/
Thank you so much everyone! Yes, this post is definitely a reminder to myself as well. I needed to read it as much as everyone else.
Hi Albert,
I think you wrote it to confront a demon. The shadow of the (intellectual) enlightenment-only line is the psychopath. Compassion is vital. My favourite image is the fire that provides both light and warmth.
At the risk of being obnoxious. How is it you see other’s courage and not your own? Be gentle with yourself my friend.
Lovely article. Thanks for sharing.
Evan,
An empath always can feel and see what others are feeling. Sometimes as clear as day. It is a continuing task to have that much clarity for oneself, however. It is my impression that is what Albert may also be experiencing.
And only because I’ve been in the identical position.
Beautiful, beautiful post, Albert. It so obviously came from your heart. The energy of compassion comes across loud and clear in your words, and it resonates within each of your readers. And then we can bring that compassion into our relationship with ourselves.
Thank you and blessings,
Andrea
Thank you, Albertใ
Thank you Albert. I really needed this one. As I pay more and more attention to the babble that goes on in my head I sometimes fall into becoming critical of the content, which of course, as Eckhart Tolle tells us, is the ego coming back in through the back door. Loving compassion is the key to lock the back door.
Thank you so much everyone. I wasn’t sure if posts like this would be well accepted, so I’m really glad that this has been taken so well given the emails and comments. I do realise that I am one of the people who need to hear this message for myself. I am really happy that you all liked this, that it has touched you.
This was indeed a wonderful post. Like so many things in life, they are better when they come from our heart …
I hope your time allows for more postings in the future. Your blog is DEFINITELY worth reading.
Take care
Stanley F. Bronstein
MrAchievement
Attorney, CPA, Author & Professional Motivational Speaker
Albert, personally I think this is the best post that you have written in awhile. Like Andrea said, it came from your heart and those are always the best. The are words of wisdom for all of us to follow. Love as well as compassion truly begins with ourselves. The articles that we write for ourselves sometimes have a really bi impact on others as well. This is a good example of that. Have a glorious day.
Patricia
I really needed to hear these words today. Thanks for having the courage to post them. Take care.
Thank you everyone, I’m grateful you like it.
The man who said ‘life is suffering’ also deduced that suffering is a human belief and illusion. The thing is, as human beings begin to remove one veil that clouds their perception, they tend to replace it with other ones to cloud their judgement again. The key is to move beyond such a vicious circle to discover what lies beyond. Indescribable truth must be felt.
That is beautiful Liara – removing the illusion is definitely one of the paradoxes of the path, I believe.
Sometimes compassion can be painful, and that pain a blessing!
Thank you, you lovely child of the universe!
Wonderful words – just the sort of confidence booster I need on a Monday morning – more short Monday musings please ! Save longer, more structured articles for later in the week, when my brain is more ready to absorb them
Thank you Ben and Birdsong! I might write some shorter posts like you said, they’re very awesome in their own way!
Albert, I’ll be 50 this year. You can’t make it through life to this age without having a lot of pain – some real, some imagined in life. Compassion for yourself and time often helps heal.
Nice well written post.
BTW. Did you know CK tagged you on her last post?
Hey Michelle – thank you for that. I just saw the tag from CK, looks like a very fun meme, and she’s got a great sense of humor!
Albert, I agree with you that removing veils we create can be a truly beautiful experience. It can be earth-shattering and life-transforming, if we’re ready and choose it to be so. Great reflections you share.
A wise buddy of mine, told me this..which stuck to my mind forever – everything teaches us something. Your post just opens up the gateway of learning when we confront pain and darkness….wisdom and compassion with an awareness free from any attachment is what we all need…thanks for this wonderful post.
Thank you Liara and Eulierian… those are really great compliments
Very true — without pain, you can not grow. The most difficult things I have had to face throughout life have made me a stronger and better person. Great post!
Thanks Jenna
Wonderful words. Wisdom without compassion is practically useless. Coming to terms with your pain and then nuturing yourself; knowing that what you see in others what you see in yourself. It took me 30+ years of living to truly “get” this. Postings like this can save people lots of time. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kenneth. That is very high praise, and I really appreciate it. I’m glad you got something from this post
I used to be a pessimistic gal. But I learn to be brave. Courage and compassion is the key for enjoyable life.
Thank you Eva !
thanks bro
It’s only a shame if you continually to make the same mistake and not learn from it. Well written article. I enjoyed it.
Thanks Health and Adam!
I have been reading you posts for a long time now, and they’ve deeply helped me… this one, in particular: BEAUTIFUL… I came in looking for yet another technique for facing my fears, and realised I am already starting my journey and all I need right now is exactly what this post is about… thank you for every word!
Hey Luis, thank you so much. That was a really heartfelt comment, and I appreciate it.
Thank you, Albert.
This is my very first time reading your post and I’m so moved by your true and beautiful words. It’s been a while since I thought life is full of suffering. What’s the ultimate meaning of living it！But through this post, I saw my shallowness and shortcomings, that’s is I’m so in pain that obscured recognizing the true self that makes me so unconfident about myself. I should walk out of that dark shadow of pain and see myself in a brand new different way.
Hey Danny, thank you so much for that. A very heartfelt comment.
Hello every one! It’s ok to fall from a hill to a hole but, it’s better to come out and climb the hill again. We’re here on this earth once, let’s all put the pain behind us and walk forward, otherwise we’ll stay behind.
Thank you all for your courage.
I never thought of my suffering from this kind of perspective. Thanx, albert.
Thanks
Thanks for the post Albert, a lovely read as always ^-^..
During difficult times, it is easy to forget, but wise to remember these words…
The one person in this that can be sure to show us compassion is ourselves…and everything starts from within.
Thank you Chris, glad you liked this post. It remains one of my most heartfelt after all this time.
man… that post made me think. a lot. was pretty refreshing actually.
i really think that suffering is all self-created. which ties into your suffering is life defnition in the sense that life is self created
lol
your message about not being afraid of your pain and downfalls is really power. and really interesting to tie that courage into compassion. kinda like the two poles of the magnet, two sides of the same coin.
…definitely agree about not pretending the wound doesn’t exist. but at the same time it’s only a wound because you see it as such, and it doesn’t need to be a bad thing. it just is, don’t make it worse or attach meaning to it. acceptance. i think acceptance would probably be in the centre of courage and compassion actually. interesting.
really inspiring stuff.
gave it a stumble.
thanks for the comment on my site btw.
keep in touch
alex – unleash reality
Hey Alex, glad you liked it, and glad that you left a comment. I’m enjoying your blog too, so here’s to a new friendship
We usually think in terms of having compassion for others, but having that perspective on the self – gentle, genuine, but not ego-involved – strikes me as a finer and in some ways more demanding art.
Hi Paul – you speak the truth! I’ve been struggling with a lot of repressed guilt lately – strangely I find it easy to look at the unwise actions of others and say “oh they couldn’t control themselves, and I grew as a result of their actions” but very hard to do the same for me.
That post was beautiful. It really, really hits home. I especially like the point you make about filling your heart with love. If you remove the hate and fill it with something more wholesome, nothing but great things will spill out. Thank you for this!
Hi Scott, thank you for that comment. I’m glad you like this post, it’s one of my most heartfelt to date
You say that you’ve nver written anything like this before…and I agree. You’ve never written anything this beautiful, this amazing, or this perfect before. This is truly the best of the best, my friend.
Hi Jay, now I’m blushing! Thank you!
Albert,
It is post straight from the hart and you have made a excellent point that we all need to understand. Like you wrote, “the most personal, the darkest and the most painful – is also the most universal.”
Sunny, thank you for that comment, and always good to have you here
Your post is very powerful, inspiring and is worth implemented in everybody’s life. And I want to say everybody that we should feel ourselves living in the abundance whether the time is not right but this hope and determination will surely change the time and bring happiness in our life. Good Luck.
Thanks for your comment Smith, I appreciate it!
‘There is no one who has not suffered’. I’m struggling to understand this. What if a child was born into a family where both parents where enlightened.
Don’t think too much about it. Even if the parents were enlightened, the world can still be a nasty place, right?
Thanks, this is so fundamental to our work. And I understand about the enlightened parents now lol (see above)
Haha, no problem
Well said, Albert.
I believe that the “very special man” refers to my original teacher whom I’ve never met and yet have met. Assuming that’s true, I’d like to point out that to my knowledge he did not say “Life is suffering”. He *did* say that there *is* suffering though and pointed the way to its complete ending.
Regardless of what he said, obviously life is not just suffering, right? Even those who do suffer a lot do experience moments of joy and even happiness. Furthermore, when we see through the causes and conditions, and joke of it all, life is of suffering even less, and of more happiness. When we uncover suffering, we discover happiness that’s already there. So, is life suffering?
I just thought it’s important to point this out, as “Life is suffering” is a very common misinformation, which I believe has brought about quite a bit of unnecessary misunderstanding.
Hi there Kumara – thanks for your comment, and I know exactly what you mean. I suspected a couple of times if the Noble Truths lost something in translation, but in the end I always figured his statements were just reflective of his style (and perhaps the time period), which is slightly more.. erm… grandiose. Heh heh. I would love to hear what the proper first truth is!
You can get a pretty good description of the first noble truth here:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org.....assage-189
It’s part of a book, which is avaiable for free distribution, following an ancient eastern practice regarding spiritual books.
Thanks for that link, what a fascinating read!
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