Often the answer to the question of human pain and suffering is not one we as humans want to hear. This is largely because the truth of the human situation, the first noble truth if you will, is that pain and suffering are fundamental components of the human condition.
So much sincere effort goes into falsifying this claim. It seems that an equally noble truth of the human condition is a persistent aversion to pain. Fortunately, or unfortunately, our species is extremely well adept to this process. We have so many clever ways of attempting to side-step our suffering. Trouble seems to arise when the ultimate futility of this striving presents itself. No matter how much we try to out run or distract ourselves from our pain, it beckons us to face it. It is at this point we as humans come face to face with one of life's greatest and most challenging questions, "How am I going to respond to my own pain and suffering?"
A common experience is that one begins to listen to their. pain. Through this they find that it has a great deal to teach them. They notice that the same thing they have been attempting to avoid, contains a great deal of wisdom and power. What they have been calling pain, begins to be transformed into something entirely different. Like the alchemical process of transforming base metal into gold. Through our willingness to face it and relate to it, the base metal of our pain is transformed into the gold of our growth as a human being. We become stronger, wiser, and less fearful. Perhaps you have experienced this. If you think back on your life can you recall a painful experience that turned out to be a tremendous gift? Can you apply the wisdom of this experience to whatever life may be presenting you with today? My sense is that you can. My hope is that you will.
Adam R. Seward
Individual,Couple, and Family Counselor
www.adamsewardcounseling.net
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