Since last night’s post I have been thinking a lot about dukkha and how it is compounded by my own belief in it. For example, when I was in Chicago this past week, I began to believe that there really was some thing called my “family” whose absence caused me great pain which could only be remedied in the future by returing to close, physical proximity. As is now painfully obvious this was the height of delusion for, although I love and care y family, my return has clearly demonstrated that I reified an idea over which to suffer. The truth of relationships is never static and rarely harmonious especially when those to whom you are relating are not dedicated to training the heart.
So, what is the take away? Perhaps it’s simply that I shouldn’t take my longins and fears so seriously if I am truly committed to living for my own long-term benefit. It seems that when I believe whole-heartedly in any thought based on the three poisons I only increase my suffering-a fact which should be obvious but which I constantly forget.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Can I tell you… it (harmonious relationship) is even WORSE when you are involved with someone who claims that they are on a path towards enlightenment (training the heart as you, so beautifully said), yet seem more than ignorant to their hurtful behaviors, hurtful words.
But I will agree with you that it is really the suffering of suffering that we need to drop, need to discontinue! Life is suffering… but clinging to delusions, fantasies we like to believe in, plans made up to affect our reality this way or that way, because we want something we believe will make us happy, or we reject something that makes us unhappy… that is really what causes pain and suffering.
Break the legs of what I want to happen. Humiliate my desire.
Eat me like candy. It is spring and finally I have no will.
~Rumi
By: Tucson Blonde on 06/09/2013
at 6:56 pm