Guest guest Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 Here we go....my fingers are walking across the keys with no direction, and I certainly have no clue as to why or even how this is coming. That nagging in my " somewhere " deeper saying to respond, not to dig through what has been say, and so very....incredibly put, but to lend one more potential expansive avenue, to the wholeness. Sometimes, I think I just write to see words on the page. The strange part is when they actually say something. If I get off track here, just slap me hard and go back to the orginal post, where at least one of us is sane......lol It is, I am beginning to believe, that our pain(s), whether emotional of physcal, are for learning...rather, experiencing. Yet, part of the way I'm beginning to learn it is, none, absolutely none of any pain I've suffered or endured belonged to me....none of it. [yep, we can see which one isn't sane here.] Ok, since we have that out, let's just go with insanity as a good reason to go out on some limbs here. Insanity, that would be it's own pain maybe? [lolololololroflmsaohehehehehehahahahalolol] All pain that you encounter IS NOT yours. (I hear ya, such words there...] I'll ask myself the question; when does pain teach me anything? Is it when I wollow in it? No. Is it when I am overwhelmed by it? No. Is it when I'm seking comfort from it? No. Well, when then? It is occuring to me more and more often, that when I learn something from it, is when, " the experience " of it is used in the " service of another " . [complete silence] (hummm, condemplating my demise no doubt) It is in my experience of whatever pain was survived or dealt with, that the reason for it became clear when it was used to be compassionate, in " the experience " with another, going through simular pains an problems, or troubles and experience. The gift was the understanding, the deeper connection, the love that came out of it. It's not when your curled up in pain, that your aware of how this is going to help anything, anyone, or what good is in it, when all you, or they want, is for IT TO STOP. Relief. That being said.....if even by my wondering fingers, we do look for pleasure, and avoid pain, insomuch as we can. But then, neither is pleasure what we are grasping for. [cast out the heathen] No, wait....do that later... Pleasure " serves " , just as pain does. I can go find some old buddies somewhere and we can fire up a big fat one, and " bliss out " for the rest of the day. There would be a pleasure in that somewhere. [da boys smokin, we knew...] (shhhhh..... that's been awhile...) The point is, pleasure, regardless of the things we find it in, serves to help us enjoy this life, to be grateful for it. To get a glimspe at things that could be. Pain is the opposite. The living without joy. Because of experiencing pain, we can now experience the " place " where another may be...and from our place, both in the knowing, and in coming from a place of the pleasurable...or " wellness " beyond the pain...our gift is in bringing the joy back. This too is healing. Removing the illusion of pain, and reminding of the reality of joy. Pain is a gift. It's purpose is so Joy can respond. JOY is RESPONSE. And pain we still carry within ourselves of past hurt, becomes healed and adds to our completeness...our " wholeness " , as we, TRANSFORM it into JOY, for ANOTHER. You can NOT heal yourself....would you believe such an illusion? It would be impossible to believe. You are already whole. But you have taken upon yourself to " experience " , so that you can know joy. And that can only be experienced in the giving to another, from that experience. And what if you have no experience, when you find yourself in the company of one in great pain? How do you help then? All pain and suffering has a core...it is the same for every human...loss, grief, etc... You do have the experience, simply because of your human element...yet, it is much more than that....you have the compassionate experiences of your soul(s), which are completely the same. If you go with the stories told of Jesus, in his truer being, not which all are told in that book...he too was compassionate, on the human, and on the soulful levels...more times than told, it overwhelmed him...he took their experiences into himself and grieved for them. This, from someone you'd believe could snap his fingers and change anything, anytime. He " experienced " them. He took their experience inside of himself. There was no difference. It wasn't " until " after he did this that he performed any healing, " agreeing only that they were relieved, whole " . Consider then, even the possibility, that, our pain, our grief, our hurt, is our " taking in of experience " for another, who will reveal themselves to us at the " annointed time " . We experience the sadness, and grief, the overwhelming compassion, so that when the time approaches, we........ " agree only that relief has come...we are whole " . Ok, this puppy done run off the road somewhere. Lost my thought, fingers out of control....refer back to the orginal post so you don't get lost in my maze...oh look, my hand stopped typing....... no words were harmed in this production of incredible insanity, but numbers have files a lawsuit for discrimination. no part of this production should be copied by sane persons at any time unless on the advise of a doctor. --- In , " alisonkain " <alisonkain@...> wrote: > > Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and > suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful > delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find > one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I > am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting > and yelling at the computer screen, " What?! " or " Phwoar! Is > the woman mad? " simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or > suffering potentially bestowing a " gift " in its wake based upon > the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move > through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. > > > Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller > corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a > natural part of the " human condition " whether we like it or not. > We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile > attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair > come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or > sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the " Terrible Two " > show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to > cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient > time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. > > The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises – > physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful > variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a > loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as > a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a > loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that > said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well > we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under > the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering > – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. > Therefore, time to give the " Terrible Two " their due and explore > ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and > growth, in my humble estimation. > > Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal > balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without > pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without > low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your > contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure > if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to > properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; > how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an > abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly > enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of > your life? Many times I have been known to say, " Sometimes the only > way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't > like. " If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever > experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have > been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain > and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously. > > I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering > credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full > extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my > successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods > of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how > beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the > joy in feeling " healthy " . I no longer take " good days " > for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may > be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would > have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; > it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never > forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our > eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true > gratitude. > > I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have > previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - > be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the > spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of > pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility > for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly > painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity > for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the > chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and > compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into > making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our > current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters > more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because > change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you > ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more > satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had? > > In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the > opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or > suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized > isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is > intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes > wrought by great pain and suffering can be; > how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes > many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered > within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I > personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing > process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon > each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. > I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - > whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or > therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder > to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help > comes in is a beautiful gift. > > In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal > choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the > " dark nights of our souls " . Ultimately it falls within our > responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and > decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived > grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help > another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion > and understanding? > > > Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways > and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed > uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old > saying, " If you prick us,do we not bleed? " We all bleed. We > all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the > gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you > may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and > find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness > that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. > Remember the saying, " That which does not kill us only makes us > stronger " . > > > Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; > embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique > soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted. > > One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not > suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, > only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary > periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. > > May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing > our painful gifts a bit differently? > > > > Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights > > > Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt > complimented my point for your review…. > > · " The difference between shallow happiness and a deep > sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When > sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other > hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by > the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, > and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the > hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who > depend upon it) disappoint us. " Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion > > · " Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House > of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is > able to learn so much more. " Pesach Krauss, Why Me? > > · " Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run > together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut > ourselves off from joy as well. " Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary. > > · " The things we try to avoid and fight against - > tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that > produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary > swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden > them. " Unknown > > · " Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare > pearls. " Spurgeon > > · " I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. > It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with > sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, > when sorrow walked with me. " Unknown > > · " Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light > shining somewhere nearby. " Ruth E. > Renkel > > · " Suffering is a short pain and a long joy. " Henry Suso > > · " Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering > hearts; not amid joy. " Felicia Hemans > > · " As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is > immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins > with a cry. " RC Sproul > > · " We could never learn to be brave and patient if there > were only joy in the world. " Helen Keller > > · " How much more pleasant this world would be if we > magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments. " Unknown > > · " Thankfulness is the secret of joy. " Unknown > > > · " Nothing lasts—not even pain. " Ray Stannard Baker > (1870-1946) > > · " We cannot learn without pain. " Aristotle (384-322 BC) > > · " Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. " Dalai Lama > > · " Wisdom cometh by suffering. " Aeschylus (525-456 BC) > > · " You can and you must expect suffering. " Mother > (1910-1998) > > · " The reward of suffering is experience. " Aeschylus > (525-456 BC) > > · " Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong. " > Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars > > · " We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in > full. " Marcel Proust (1871-1922) > > · " Sometimes,the only way out is through. " > Frost > > · " All things appear and disappear because of the > concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely > alone; everything is in relation to everything else. " Buddha > > · " Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn > a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a > little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we > didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. " Buddha > > · " Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering > and is transmuted into an ineffable joy. " Ghandi > > · " Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of > stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to > Satyagraha. " Ghandi > > · " Although the world is full of suffering, it is also > full of the overcoming of it. " Helen Keller > > · " A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into > nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can > understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with > courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very > often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we > do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for > ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out > of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that > keeps us alive. " Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader) > > · " I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People > inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or > satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and > contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of > altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, > selfishness, and greed. " Dalai Lama > > · " If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile > ourselves to it, but to work for change. " Starhawk > > · " A man who fears suffering is already suffering from > what he fears. " Michel de Montaigne. > > · " When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars. " > A.Beard > > · " Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a > baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state. " Eliot > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 Yes!!! > >> > Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and> > suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a > hopeful> > delicate way to present these particular topics since they often > find> > one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing > what I> > am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself > sitting> > and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is> > the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or> > suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon> > the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we > move> > through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please.> > > > > > Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much > smaller> > corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a> > natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not.> > We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile> > attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly > pair> > come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or> > sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two"> > show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most > unable to> > cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or > convenient> > time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives.> > > > The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises –> > physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and > distasteful> > variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss > of a> > loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, > or as> > a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or > as a> > loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that> > said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how > well> > we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go > under> > the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering> > – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. > > Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore> > ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and> > growth, in my humble estimation.> > > > Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal> > balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist > without> > pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high > without> > low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your> > contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true > pleasure> > if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be > able to> > properly define happiness without having experienced true > unhappiness?;> > how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been > through an> > abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly> > enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of> > your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only> > way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't> > like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever> > experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could > have> > been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of > pain> > and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously.> > > > I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and > suffering> > credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the > full> > extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my> > successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged > periods> > of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and > how> > beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered > the> > joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days"> > for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that > may> > be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely > would> > have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted;> > it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never> > forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to > open our> > eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of > true> > gratitude.> > > > I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have> > previously been presented by many of the historically great > thinkers -> > be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the> > spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out > of> > pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the > possibility> > for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly> > painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an > opportunity> > for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with > them the> > chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and> > compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us > into> > making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our> > current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters> > more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition > because> > change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you> > ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is > more> > satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?> > > > In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the> > opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great > pain or> > suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized> > isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it > is > > intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult > changes> > wrought by great pain and suffering can be;> > how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it > takes> > many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered> > within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I> > personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing> > process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based > upon> > each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as > well. > > I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or > another -> > whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or> > therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a > shoulder> > to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help> > comes in is a beautiful gift.> > > > In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to > personal> > choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the> > "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our> > responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences > and> > decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived> > grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help> > another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more > compassion> > and understanding?> > > > > > Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable > ways> > and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed> > uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old> > saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We> > all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with > the> > gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that > you> > may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom > and> > find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the > darkness> > that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the > light. > > Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us> > stronger".> > > > > > Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that > path;> > embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique> > soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.> > > > One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not> > suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering,> > only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary> > periodic human condition with potentially new eyes.> > > > May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing> > our painful gifts a bit differently?> > > > > > > > Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights> > > > > > Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt> > complimented my point for your review….> > > > · "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep> > sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When> > sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the > other> > hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, > by> > the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into > endurance,> > and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and > the> > hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those > who> > depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion> > > > · "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House> > of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning > one is> > able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?> > > > · "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run> > together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut> > ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the > Temporary.> > > > · "The things we try to avoid and fight against -> > tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that> > produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the > ordinary> > swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden> > them." Unknown> > > > · "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare> > pearls." Spurgeon> > > > · "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the > way.> > It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile > with> > sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from > her,> > when sorrow walked with me." Unknown> > > > · "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light> > shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E.> > Renkel> > > > · "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso> > > > · "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering> > hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans> > > > · "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is> > immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life > begins> > with a cry." RC Sproul> > > > · "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there> > were only joy in the world." Helen Keller> > > > · "How much more pleasant this world would be if we> > magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." > Unknown> > > > · "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown> > > > > > · "Nothing lasts—not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker> > (1870-1946)> > > > · "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)> > > > · "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai > Lama> > > > · "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)> > > > · "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother > > (1910-1998)> > > > · "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus> > (525-456 BC)> > > > · "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be > strong."> > Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars> > > > · "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it > in> > full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922)> > > > · "Sometimes,the only way out is through." > > Frost> > > > · "All things appear and disappear because of the> > concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely> > alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha> > > > · "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn> > a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a> > little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we> > didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha> > > > · "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering> > and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi> > > > · "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of> > stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to> > Satyagraha." Ghandi> > > > · "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also> > full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller> > > > · "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into> > nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can> > understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with> > courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very> > often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse > condition we> > do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will > last for> > ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get > out> > of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that> > keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)> > > > · "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People> > inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or> > satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and> > contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation > of> > altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance,> > selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama> > > > · "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile> > ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk> > > > · "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from> > what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.> > > > · "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." > > A.Beard> > > > · "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a> > baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." > Eliot> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Funny you should ask the only way I know how to explain is to tell you my story... My powers came in phases starting when I was 4 ,thats the first time I can remember flying and it wasn't long after that I got molested the power of vision came when i was 5 and I have been messed up ever since ... I come from along line of Irish healers only the women and we are very strong my great grandmother took Ill around that same time and I could only sit at her bedside and communcate with her telepathically as she had lost all bodilly function and my mother was to wrapped up in her addiction to see what was happining in my life of even care, when my granny passed away in 1976 I was 10 and already pretty adept but basically all alone diring a time when you didn't talk about such things. when I lost her I went crazy for the firt time. the next few years were pretty difficult I was in therapy for one thing or another seein things ( auras ,fairies, stuff like that) and no one could help so finally I started refusing to go ... But my mom kept trying and lo and behold I went one more time and I told the Lady look I already know your just gonna say I am crazy ( which I refused to believe because I had been born the way i was and knew I was special right ) and she said just give me a chance and tell me whats gonig on .S one more time I took a deep breath and started talkin and pretty she hands me this paper( she had been writing the whole time) and I said what is this, it is the corespondind meanings to the colors that you see around people and I about fell of the couch I started crying and you belive me and she yes and explained to me what it was and that only special peolpe see auras and I wasn't crazy and that our hour was over and would i please come back .That therapist lasted about a year and the next phase of my life took over which was really really badif this is at all what you are talking about Ali let me know k the next phase consists of kidnaping torture prison shit you wouldn'd believe. but I neeed a break and I am not sure this is what you mean or want In love and light Blessed Be Anastasiaalisonkain <alisonkain@...> wrote: Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not. We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two" show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises – physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and growth, in my humble estimation.Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously. I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days" for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true gratitude.I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes wrought by great pain and suffering can be; how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help comes in is a beautiful gift.In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion and understanding? Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger". Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing our painful gifts a bit differently? Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt complimented my point for your review…. <!--[if !supportLists]--> · "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Spurgeon<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E. Renkel<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Nothing lasts—not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker (1870-1946)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother (1910-1998)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922) <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Sometimes,the only way out is through." Frost<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to Satyagraha." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." A.Beard<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." Eliot<!--[endif]--> Anastasia oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Bliss and Blessings to all:This being the first post I've made on this list, first I'd like to introduce myself known as Lady J, who currently resides in Buffalo,NY (I already know some of you divine beings from festivals on this beautiful planet I adore). I wish to let you all know that I've truly been moved by many of the posts made here. I feel great gratitude to be a member of this beautiful bunch of freaks, compassion, healers, and love spreaders across this virtual landscape we connect on and beyond. Thank you dear sisters and brothers who I adore. That being said, my soul was inspired to share with all ya'll beautiful folks the following.......Having just gone through another painful lesson, this post truly hit home. And I have to give gratitude for the experience, because it was truly a blessing from the Universe. I give thanks for the lessons I learned from living it and feel that without it, it may have taken me years to learn that which my spirit really needed to know. Hence, why I can walk away from the experience with thankfulness rather than anger or rage. Blessings often come in the form of many different masks and pain & suffering is certainly one of them. Coming from this view point and one of compassion, I can see what it was that I was to learn from it. Wow! I am blessed and I give thanks, painful as it was. Looking at it from this view point, forgiveness was easy to give, and I thanked the individual for allowing me the experience. Many lessons I learned and hence, I grew from them. I am friends with this person because I see him as an individual that actually gave me a gift without even realizing it. Gratitude is all I feel because, without it, I couldn't have reached a new level in my spirituality and understanding of myself. What a present indeed. I am thankful.Thank you for sharing this again and to others that also shared their way of viewing difficult times in their life in a positive light. Much love.....Much lightFairydust & Moonbeams too...Lady Jalisonkain <alisonkain > wrote: Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not. We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two" show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises � physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering � our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and growth, in my humble estimation.Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without low, etc� As a result I present these questions for your contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain and suffering� be that consciously or unconsciously. I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days" for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true gratitude.I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or suffering � some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes wrought by great pain and suffering can be; how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes many repeated lessons before we learn � or so I have discovered within my own life. It is never easy � not for anyone that I personally know of anyway � to accomplish this. It is a healing process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help comes in is a beautiful gift.In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal choice � whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion and understanding? Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways and on a wide array of levels by each of us � that is our blessed uniqueness � but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger". Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.One brief but important caveat here � please note that I am not suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. May you all live in good health, joy and peace�perhaps now viewing our painful gifts a bit differently? Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt complimented my point for your review�. <!--[if !supportLists]--> � "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Spurgeon<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E. Renkel<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Nothing lasts�not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker (1870-1946)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother (1910-1998)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922) <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Sometimes,the only way out is through." Frost<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to Satyagraha." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." A.Beard<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." Eliot<!--[endif]--> Anastasia oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Dear Alison, How true your words are . I have tryed to look at life this way. The things that couse each of us pain makes us understand the things that brings us joy. Peace And Love. Lynn --- In , " alisonkain " <alisonkain@...> wrote: > > Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and > suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful > delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find > one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I > am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting > and yelling at the computer screen, " What?! " or " Phwoar! Is > the woman mad? " simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or > suffering potentially bestowing a " gift " in its wake based upon > the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move > through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. > > > Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller > corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a > natural part of the " human condition " whether we like it or not. > We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile > attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair > come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or > sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the " Terrible Two " > show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to > cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient > time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. > > The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises – > physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful > variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a > loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as > a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a > loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that > said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well > we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under > the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering > – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. > Therefore, time to give the " Terrible Two " their due and explore > ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and > growth, in my humble estimation. > > Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal > balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without > pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without > low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your > contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure > if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to > properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; > how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an > abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly > enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of > your life? Many times I have been known to say, " Sometimes the only > way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't > like. " If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever > experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have > been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain > and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously. > > I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering > credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full > extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my > successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods > of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how > beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the > joy in feeling " healthy " . I no longer take " good days " > for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may > be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would > have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; > it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never > forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our > eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true > gratitude. > > I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have > previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - > be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the > spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of > pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility > for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly > painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity > for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the > chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and > compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into > making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our > current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters > more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because > change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you > ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more > satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had? > > In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the > opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or > suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized > isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is > intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes > wrought by great pain and suffering can be; > how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes > many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered > within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I > personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing > process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon > each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. > I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - > whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or > therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder > to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help > comes in is a beautiful gift. > > In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal > choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the > " dark nights of our souls " . Ultimately it falls within our > responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and > decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived > grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help > another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion > and understanding? > > > Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways > and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed > uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old > saying, " If you prick us,do we not bleed? " We all bleed. We > all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the > gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you > may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and > find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness > that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. > Remember the saying, " That which does not kill us only makes us > stronger " . > > > Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; > embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique > soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted. > > One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not > suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, > only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary > periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. > > May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing > our painful gifts a bit differently? > > > > Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights > > > Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt > complimented my point for your review…. > > · " The difference between shallow happiness and a deep > sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When > sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other > hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by > the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, > and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the > hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who > depend upon it) disappoint us. " Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion > > · " Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House > of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is > able to learn so much more. " Pesach Krauss, Why Me? > > · " Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run > together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut > ourselves off from joy as well. " Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary. > > · " The things we try to avoid and fight against - > tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that > produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary > swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden > them. " Unknown > > · " Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare > pearls. " Spurgeon > > · " I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. > It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with > sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, > when sorrow walked with me. " Unknown > > · " Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light > shining somewhere nearby. " Ruth E. > Renkel > > · " Suffering is a short pain and a long joy. " Henry Suso > > · " Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering > hearts; not amid joy. " Felicia Hemans > > · " As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is > immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins > with a cry. " RC Sproul > > · " We could never learn to be brave and patient if there > were only joy in the world. " Helen Keller > > · " How much more pleasant this world would be if we > magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments. " Unknown > > · " Thankfulness is the secret of joy. " Unknown > > > · " Nothing lasts—not even pain. " Ray Stannard Baker > (1870-1946) > > · " We cannot learn without pain. " Aristotle (384-322 BC) > > · " Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. " Dalai Lama > > · " Wisdom cometh by suffering. " Aeschylus (525-456 BC) > > · " You can and you must expect suffering. " Mother > (1910-1998) > > · " The reward of suffering is experience. " Aeschylus > (525-456 BC) > > · " Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong. " > Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars > > · " We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in > full. " Marcel Proust (1871-1922) > > · " Sometimes,the only way out is through. " > Frost > > · " All things appear and disappear because of the > concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely > alone; everything is in relation to everything else. " Buddha > > · " Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn > a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a > little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we > didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. " Buddha > > · " Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering > and is transmuted into an ineffable joy. " Ghandi > > · " Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of > stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to > Satyagraha. " Ghandi > > · " Although the world is full of suffering, it is also > full of the overcoming of it. " Helen Keller > > · " A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into > nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can > understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with > courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very > often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we > do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for > ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out > of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that > keeps us alive. " Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader) > > · " I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People > inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or > satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and > contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of > altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, > selfishness, and greed. " Dalai Lama > > · " If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile > ourselves to it, but to work for change. " Starhawk > > · " A man who fears suffering is already suffering from > what he fears. " Michel de Montaigne. > > · " When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars. " > A.Beard > > · " Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a > baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state. " Eliot > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Hello to you Lady J. Thank you so much for introducing yourself! You have such a bright soul with much wisdom! You are a treasure. I feel the same about some people who brought challenging (traumatic) experiences into my life. Usually when I tell people about my experiences I let them know that I harbor no hate for them or the individual who created it, and then they look at me like I'm crazy. They say: "To have that anger and hate towards another that hurt you so bad is your right", and I look at them and say. "Yes it is my right. " Pain can teach us so much about ourselves. When we're pushed to the limits of emotion is when we are really tested, and if we can learn the simple (not so simple) practice of release, then we're free. And to feel grateful for the experience and the people who brought them into our lives is the next step still on the bridge to growth. Thank you for sharing Lady J, and I look forward to getting to know you better my love! Metta,Stefanie> Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please.> > Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not. We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two" show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. > > The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises � physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering � our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and growth, in my humble estimation.> > Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without low, etc� As a result I present these questions for your contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have been elsewhere, then I> gently suggest you understand the gift of pain and suffering� be that consciously or unconsciously. > I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days" for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true gratitude.> > I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly > painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?> > In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or suffering � some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes wrought by great pain and suffering can be; > how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes many repeated lessons before we learn � or so I have discovered within my own life. It is never easy � not for anyone that I personally know of anyway � to accomplish this. It is a healing process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help comes in is a beautiful gift.> > In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal choice � whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion and understanding? > > Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways and on a wide array of levels by each of us � that is our blessed uniqueness � but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger". > > Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.> > One brief but important caveat here � please note that I am not suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. > > May you all live in good health, joy and peace�perhaps now viewing our painful gifts a bit differently?> > Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights> > Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt complimented my point for your review�.> <!--[if !supportLists]--> � "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary.<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Unknown<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Spurgeon<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me." Unknown<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E. > Renkel<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Nothing lasts�not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker (1870-1946)<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother (1910-1998)<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922) <!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Sometimes,the only way out is through." Frost<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to Satyagraha." Ghandi<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." A.Beard<!--[endif]-->> <!--[if !supportLists]-->� "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." Eliot<!--[endif]-->> > > > > > > Anastasia > > ---------------------------------> oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. > > > > > ---------------------------------> Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story.> Play Sims Stories at Games.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Dearest Anastasia and ...Blessed may you both be for the sharing of your personal tales with us. In them I see only great courage; beautiful Souls born of wisdom with enormous strength, beauty and compassion arising from the suffering and sorrow you experienced, which, to me, means you both chose the way of your own souls (or so my humble belief goes). I bow to each of you in full honoring of your amazing Love and the gifts you freely share with us all. Blessed are we who can walk by your sides, hand in hand in hand in hand...in full Unity and in Harmony. :: bow of humility and gratitude and respect :: Here, you are safe and "home" for Compassion Reigns Here as UNITY absolute with no judgment and certainly NO pity; I (we?) sit merely in a state of awe, relating to you both and feeling intense admiration for who you both are and how you came unto being your truest selves. (I pray that I do not overstep in making such a statement on behalf of this Family; forgive me, please, if I do.)Love to you both with HUGE tight hugs born of Love and of relating to your tales shared. Namaste. Metta.~Ali~ <karentaylor51@...> wrote: Anastasia, I am very thankful for your open heartedness. I can relate to your story. Ali hit the nail on the head about suffering and pain making you stronger if you survive! My story is similar maybe not the last part of yours. But certainly painful. Neglectful mother, alcoholic father, molested at 4, being invisible to the people who could of supported,nurtured and made me feel safe. I came into this world with love, and for the first 30 years lived in fear of everything and of most people. Animals and nature where my friends I could trust that. Finally at 29 my saturn return, I had two children 1 and 2yrs old divorced, alone in many ways, or I should say help was not available to me. I started to face my fears and take action. I learned to love myself, I learned how to physically take care of myself ( martial arts Akeido) got a doberman for protection ( she was loved so much she was a pussycat, but she was a dobby) I had to stand up. I had to take the steps to overcome my fears one at a time. I took a course Silva Mind Control. It gave me the tools to overcome myself with visualization techniques and meditation. It has been an up hill battle from there. I met my life partner and teacher. As I look back I don't even recognise the old self. I have a lot of information and help and support to give now. Without the past pain I would not be who I am now. I have stood up. I AM. And I love ALL Thank you Anastasia, I feel your past pain as a sister. This group is a place where we can all heal ourselves with out judgement, and with the loving support we all need. I am like a screen and all that is negative ( my thoughts, the world situations ) pass through me put don't stick. I am light and love. Namaste, T ----- Original Message ----- From: Anastasia Genaw Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:22 PM Subject: Re: [] Painful GIfts Funny you should ask the only way I know how to explain is to tell you my story... My powers came in phases starting when I was 4 ,thats the first time I can remember flying and it wasn't long after that I got molested the power of vision came when i was 5 and I have been messed up ever since ... I come from along line of Irish healers only the women and we are very strong my great grandmother took Ill around that same time and I could only sit at her bedside and communcate with her telepathically as she had lost all bodilly function and my mother was to wrapped up in her addiction to see what was happining in my life of even care, when my granny passed away in 1976 I was 10 and already pretty adept but basically all alone diring a time when you didn't talk about such things. when I lost her I went crazy for the firt time. the next few years were pretty difficult I was in therapy for one thing or another seein things ( auras ,fairies, stuff like that) and no one could help so finally I started refusing to go ... But my mom kept trying and lo and behold I went one more time and I told the Lady look I already know your just gonna say I am crazy ( which I refused to believe because I had been born the way i was and knew I was special right ) and she said just give me a chance and tell me whats gonig on .S one more time I took a deep breath and started talkin and pretty she hands me this paper( she had been writing the whole time) and I said what is this, it is the corespondind meanings to the colors that you see around people and I about fell of the couch I started crying and you belive me and she yes and explained to me what it was and that only special peolpe see auras and I wasn't crazy and that our hour was over and would i please come back .That therapist lasted about a year and the next phase of my life took over which was really really badif this is at all what you are talking about Ali let me know k the next phase consists of kidnaping torture prison shit you wouldn'd believe. but I neeed a break and I am not sure this is what you mean or want In love and light Blessed Be Anastasiaalisonkain <alisonkain > wrote: Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not. We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two" show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises – physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and growth, in my humble estimation.Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously. I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days" for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true gratitude.I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes wrought by great pain and suffering can be; how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help comes in is a beautiful gift.In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion and understanding? Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger". Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing our painful gifts a bit differently? Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt complimented my point for your review…. <!--[if !supportLists]--> · "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Spurgeon<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E. Renkel<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Nothing lasts—not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker (1870-1946)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother (1910-1998)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922) <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Sometimes,the only way out is through." Frost<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to Satyagraha." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." A.Beard<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." Eliot<!--[endif]--> Anastasia oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Anastasia, I am very thankful for your open heartedness. I can relate to your story. Ali hit the nail on the head about suffering and pain making you stronger if you survive! My story is similar maybe not the last part of yours. But certainly painful. Neglectful mother, alcoholic father, molested at 4, being invisible to the people who could of supported,nurtured and made me feel safe. I came into this world with love, and for the first 30 years lived in fear of everything and of most people. Animals and nature where my friends I could trust that. Finally at 29 my saturn return, I had two children 1 and 2yrs old divorced, alone in many ways, or I should say help was not available to me. I started to face my fears and take action. I learned to love myself, I learned how to physically take care of myself ( martial arts Akeido) got a doberman for protection ( she was loved so much she was a pussycat, but she was a dobby) I had to stand up. I had to take the steps to overcome my fears one at a time. I took a course Silva Mind Control. It gave me the tools to overcome myself with visualization techniques and meditation. It has been an up hill battle from there. I met my life partner and teacher. As I look back I don't even recognise the old self. I have a lot of information and help and support to give now. Without the past pain I would not be who I am now. I have stood up. I AM. And I love ALL Thank you Anastasia, I feel your past pain as a sister. This group is a place where we can all heal ourselves with out judgement, and with the loving support we all need. I am like a screen and all that is negative ( my thoughts, the world situations ) pass through me put don't stick. I am light and love. Namaste, T ----- Original Message ----- From: Anastasia Genaw Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:22 PM Subject: Re: [] Painful GIfts Funny you should ask the only way I know how to explain is to tell you my story... My powers came in phases starting when I was 4 ,thats the first time I can remember flying and it wasn't long after that I got molested the power of vision came when i was 5 and I have been messed up ever since ... I come from along line of Irish healers only the women and we are very strong my great grandmother took Ill around that same time and I could only sit at her bedside and communcate with her telepathically as she had lost all bodilly function and my mother was to wrapped up in her addiction to see what was happining in my life of even care, when my granny passed away in 1976 I was 10 and already pretty adept but basically all alone diring a time when you didn't talk about such things. when I lost her I went crazy for the firt time. the next few years were pretty difficult I was in therapy for one thing or another seein things ( auras ,fairies, stuff like that) and no one could help so finally I started refusing to go ... But my mom kept trying and lo and behold I went one more time and I told the Lady look I already know your just gonna say I am crazy ( which I refused to believe because I had been born the way i was and knew I was special right ) and she said just give me a chance and tell me whats gonig on .S one more time I took a deep breath and started talkin and pretty she hands me this paper( she had been writing the whole time) and I said what is this, it is the corespondind meanings to the colors that you see around people and I about fell of the couch I started crying and you belive me and she yes and explained to me what it was and that only special peolpe see auras and I wasn't crazy and that our hour was over and would i please come back .That therapist lasted about a year and the next phase of my life took over which was really really badif this is at all what you are talking about Ali let me know k the next phase consists of kidnaping torture prison shit you wouldn'd believe. but I neeed a break and I am not sure this is what you mean or want In love and light Blessed Be Anastasiaalisonkain <alisonkain > wrote: Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not. We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two" show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises – physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and growth, in my humble estimation.Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously. I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days" for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true gratitude.I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes wrought by great pain and suffering can be; how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help comes in is a beautiful gift.In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion and understanding? Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger". Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing our painful gifts a bit differently? Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt complimented my point for your review…. <!--[if !supportLists]--> · "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Spurgeon<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E. Renkel<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Nothing lasts—not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker (1870-1946)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother (1910-1998)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922) <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Sometimes,the only way out is through." Frost<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to Satyagraha." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." A.Beard<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." Eliot<!--[endif]--> Anastasia oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Precious Anastasia, Ali, Lady J and all First Anastasia - the overview you shared of your life experiences - I need to tell you - mirror that of my own (although my family could never afford official "therapy" for me). Much of the sanity and wholeness I have learned came from the natural elemental world, long "talks" with trees and rocks and glorious thunder storms, and silently beautiful flowers full of healing fragrance , and for all of this - yes the pain and the joys - I am so grateful, as well as humbled that I might send "reports" of healing from all that, and heartfelt love to another who has found life's path so "winding" - what an adventure, heh? ;-) Ali, your sharings are such gemstones! tu Lady J - thank you for being here now. tu Today on "Sunday Morning" (a TV show) there was a spot about Groucho Marx, who was asked "how do you want to be remembered?" - his reply "ALIVE!" and, later, a freind was interviewed who remembered visiting him, when very aged on his death bed, with plastic tubes coming from every opening on his face, and Groucho, with that michievious ever present twinkle in his eye, unable to speak, raised his fingers to the tube coming from his mouth, and gleefully moved his fingers up and down as if he were playing a lively ditty on a flute... so, today I'll remember Groucho - alive - as I send my love and good intent to all of you this Sunday morning! ;-) Mitakuye Oyasin (Lakota- we are all related) Peaceable Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Thank you so much you sound like me we could be twins except that due to the neglegence of one of my siblings I was kidnapped and held for nine months and beaten and tortured and learned very qickly how to survive like they say what dosent killyou makes you stronger well I am the epitime of that statment after that instead of being rescued I ended up doing 5 years in prison til I was 18 because learning how to survive for me ment Stockholm Syndrome I was all a horrible expiieience but I am a stronger woman for it but you can probably tell my life wasnt an easy one and I believe that I was put on this earth to suffer so that others wont have to if that makes any sense at all... ALL my life people have come into my life and out of my life for short periods of time for one thing or another and that is just how it is I am a servant or the great Mother. I love and Light Anastasia <karentaylor51@...> wrote: Anastasia, I am very thankful for your open heartedness. I can relate to your story. Ali hit the nail on the head about suffering and pain making you stronger if you survive! My story is similar maybe not the last part of yours. But certainly painful. Neglectful mother, alcoholic father, molested at 4, being invisible to the people who could of supported,nurtured and made me feel safe. I came into this world with love, and for the first 30 years lived in fear of everything and of most people. Animals and nature where my friends I could trust that. Finally at 29 my saturn return, I had two children 1 and 2yrs old divorced, alone in many ways, or I should say help was not available to me. I started to face my fears and take action. I learned to love myself, I learned how to physically take care of myself ( martial arts Akeido) got a doberman for protection ( she was loved so much she was a pussycat, but she was a dobby) I had to stand up. I had to take the steps to overcome my fears one at a time. I took a course Silva Mind Control. It gave me the tools to overcome myself with visualization techniques and meditation. It has been an up hill battle from there. I met my life partner and teacher. As I look back I don't even recognise the old self. I have a lot of information and help and support to give now. Without the past pain I would not be who I am now. I have stood up. I AM. And I love ALL Thank you Anastasia, I feel your past pain as a sister. This group is a place where we can all heal ourselves with out judgement, and with the loving support we all need. I am like a screen and all that is negative ( my thoughts, the world situations ) pass through me put don't stick. I am light and love. Namaste, T ----- Original Message ----- From: Anastasia Genaw Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:22 PM Subject: Re: [] Painful GIfts Funny you should ask the only way I know how to explain is to tell you my story... My powers came in phases starting when I was 4 ,thats the first time I can remember flying and it wasn't long after that I got molested the power of vision came when i was 5 and I have been messed up ever since ... I come from along line of Irish healers only the women and we are very strong my great grandmother took Ill around that same time and I could only sit at her bedside and communcate with her telepathically as she had lost all bodilly function and my mother was to wrapped up in her addiction to see what was happining in my life of even care, when my granny passed away in 1976 I was 10 and already pretty adept but basically all alone diring a time when you didn't talk about such things. when I lost her I went crazy for the firt time. the next few years were pretty difficult I was in therapy for one thing or another seein things ( auras ,fairies, stuff like that) and no one could help so finally I started refusing to go ... But my mom kept trying and lo and behold I went one more time and I told the Lady look I already know your just gonna say I am crazy ( which I refused to believe because I had been born the way i was and knew I was special right ) and she said just give me a chance and tell me whats gonig on .S one more time I took a deep breath and started talkin and pretty she hands me this paper( she had been writing the whole time) and I said what is this, it is the corespondind meanings to the colors that you see around people and I about fell of the couch I started crying and you belive me and she yes and explained to me what it was and that only special peolpe see auras and I wasn't crazy and that our hour was over and would i please come back .That therapist lasted about a year and the next phase of my life took over which was really really badif this is at all what you are talking about Ali let me know k the next phase consists of kidnaping torture prison shit you wouldn'd believe. but I neeed a break and I am not sure this is what you mean or want In love and light Blessed Be Anastasiaalisonkain <alisonkain > wrote: Lately I've been reflecting upon the correlated issues of pain and suffering. I have done much soul searching in order to find a hopeful delicate way to present these particular topics since they often find one feeling very sensitive in the face of them. In fact, knowing what I am about to discuss in this offering you may well find yourself sitting and yelling at the computer screen, "What?!"or "Phwoar! Is the woman mad?" simply because I speak of the possibility of pain or suffering potentially bestowing a "gift" in its wake based upon the title of this commentary. Still I ask for your patience as we move through these subjects and to keep an open mind, please. Having looked around at the world at large (and my much, much smaller corner of it), I know without doubt that pain and suffering are a natural part of the "human condition" whether we like it or not. We, as humans, may struggle all our lives in what I see as a futile attempt to avoid pain and suffering, but invariably this unseemly pair come knocking upon our doors whether the portals are wide opened or sealed tightly shut like Fort Knox. Often the "Terrible Two" show up when we least expect them or when we feel we are most unable to cope with their untimely arrival. There is never a good or convenient time for true pain or suffering to make an appearance in our lives. The gnarly duo can present themselves in many guises – physically,emotionally, mentally, spiritually or an odd and distasteful variation of these forms. They may express themselves as the loss of a loved one creating grief, or as an illness that is life-altering, or as a sudden devastating unforeseen change in a core relationship, or as a loss of job or career, and on and on the possibilities go. So, that said, it is apparent we cannot, no matter how hard we work or how well we believe we sneak around them, can we ever really effectively go under the radar remaining undetected in order to avoid pain and suffering – our own or that of those whom we love? Sadly, no, we cannot. Therefore, time to give the "Terrible Two" their due and explore ways to deal with them and move into the next level of healing and growth, in my humble estimation.Let us also not forget that there are those who believe in universal balance which implies that without pleasure there cannot exist without pain, that there is no light without the dark, there is no high without low, etc… As a result I present these questions for your contemplation:how would you adeptly or readily recognize true pleasure if you had not experienced suffering or pain?; how would you be able to properly define happiness without having experienced true unhappiness?; how could you fully appreciate success if you have never been through an abysmal failure?; how often have you noticed how much you had truly enjoyed someone's company only when they were no longer a part of your life? Many times I have been known to say, "Sometimes the only way I know what I actually like is by determining what I don't like." If absence makes the heart grow fonder and if you have ever experienced a moment of rue over a decision wondering what could have been elsewhere, then I gently suggest you understand the gift of pain and suffering– be that consciously or unconsciously. I have recently begun to give the experiences born of pain and suffering credit as being the most accurate gauges for me to determine the full extent of my deepest joys and best definitions of celebrations of my successes. Having personally been in horrific pain for prolonged periods of time has clearly shown me what a day without pain can offer and how beautiful feeling really good is. I have, in essence, discovered the joy in feeling "healthy". I no longer take "good days" for granted and have learned to make the most of them (however that may be) on any given day. Had I not undergone the suffering I likely would have continued to take these blessed and precious days for granted; it's so very easy to do that. Mindfulness is a measure of never forgetting what gifts sit before us patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts to them thus ushering in the beautiful quality of true gratitude.I now offer for your consideration the possibilities that have previously been presented by many of the historically great thinkers - be they philosophers, psychologists, scientists, theologians or the spiritually awakened masters - what if out of sorrow comes joy, out of pain comes relief and comfort, and out of both culminate the possibility for true growth as human beings? What if these horribly painful experiences we all undergo actually are creating an opportunity for us to fully embrace the lessons life hands us bringing with them the chance to become wiser, softer, more loving, or more empathetic and compassionate? What if these experiences are actually forcing us into making a shift in our lives allowing us to escape from a part of our current existence that is not fulfilling into something that matters more to us but we might not have wanted to make that transition because change is often experienced by us as highly uncomfortable? Have you ever dreaded a change only to find that the new way of your life is more satisfying to you than you'd imagined or previously had?In all of this, I would be remiss not to at least address that the opposite is also possible for some people when faced with great pain or suffering – some can become temporarily bitter, angry, or victimized isolationists. This is not to cast judgment upon others, rather it is intended for us to see and understand more clearly how difficult changes wrought by great pain and suffering can be; how much courage it takes to go beyond pain into joy. Sometimes it takes many repeated lessons before we learn – or so I have discovered within my own life. It is never easy – not for anyone that I personally know of anyway – to accomplish this. It is a healing process that takes place in its own way and in its own time based upon each individual and the way/s each occurrence is uniquely felt as well. I also believe that all of us require support of one kind or another - whether from family, friends or in the form of a support group or therapist to move through these unseemly and painful times - a shoulder to lean upon, a friendly non-judgmental ear, whatever form the help comes in is a beautiful gift.In the end, it is my belief that all this truly comes down to personal choice – whether we see it that way or not in the midst of the "dark nights of our souls". Ultimately it falls within our responsibility and our power to decide how to view our experiences and decide what we wish to takeaway from them. If you have survived grieving the loss of a deeply loved one are you not now able to help another who is grieving? Can you not now see them with more compassion and understanding? Each painful event is felt differently and experienced in variable ways and on a wide array of levels by each of us – that is our blessed uniqueness – but in the end, we are all human. It goes to the old saying, "If you prick us,do we not bleed?" We all bleed. We all laugh. We all cry. We all have choice. What will you do with the gifts of suffering and pain? It is my deepest heartfelt wish that you may discover they bring you the opportunities to grow,gain wisdom and find inner-peace when you have passed successfully through the darkness that invariably accompanies them and make your way back into the light. Remember the saying, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger". Let us unite in our paths regardless of how we have traversed that path; embracing all in our way and learning from each cherished and unique soul. This is a great and powerful gift we are granted.One brief but important caveat here – please note that I am not suggesting in any way that you seek out or create pain or suffering, only that you attempt to view what I see as an inevitable temporary periodic human condition with potentially new eyes. May you all live in good health, joy and peace…perhaps now viewing our painful gifts a bit differently? Alison Kain 2004 March Edition of Alternative Insights Some quotes I've amassed in relation to Painful Gifts which I felt complimented my point for your review…. <!--[if !supportLists]--> · "The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow.Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope - and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Ecclesiastes holds that it is better to go to a House of Mourning than a House of Rejoicing,for in a House of Mourning one is able to learn so much more." Pesach Krauss, Why Me?<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Many of us do not realize that pain and joy run together. When we cut ourselves off from pain, we unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well." Clyde , Celebrate the Temporary.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Spurgeon<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. It left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and ne're a word said she, but oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." Ruth E. Renkel<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy."Felicia Hemans<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Nothing lasts—not even pain." Ray Stannard Baker (1870-1946)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We cannot learn without pain." Aristotle (384-322 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Wisdom cometh by suffering." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "You can and you must expect suffering." Mother (1910-1998)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "The reward of suffering is experience." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Knowhow sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882) The Light of Stars<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust (1871-1922) <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Sometimes,the only way out is through." Frost<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." Buddha<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Real suffering, bravely borne, melts even a heart of stone. Such is the potency of suffering. And there lies the key to Satyagraha." Ghandi<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A condition as bitter as poison will be turned into nectar if we can get into rhythm with that condition, if we can understand it, if we will endure that condition with patience, with courage, with hope. When there is a favourable condition we are very often afraid that it may pass, but when there is an adverse condition we do not generally think that it will pass; we think that it will last for ever. This comes from fear, from agitation, from the desire to get out of this condition, and thus we lose even hope, the only source that keeps us alive." Hazrat Inayat Khan (Sufi Leader)<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed." Dalai Lama<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "If suffering exists, it is not our task to reconcile ourselves to it, but to work for change." Starhawk<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." Michel de Montaigne.<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars." A.Beard<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->· "Deep,unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, theinitiation into a new state." Eliot<!--[endif]--> Anastasia oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Anastasia Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.