Thursday, November 18, 2021

Jessica Schrader - Existence is Suffering

 Perhaps, beneath everything, there is inescapable pain.


My gastritis has got worse over the last year and this is why I have done less politics, but I hoped you enjoyed the various different topics. My GP has increased my medication, so I'm okay for now, but I'm a bit disappointed as I was hoping to recover. 


Existence is suffering" is the common translation of the First Noble Truth of Buddhism. As an avid reader of Zen Buddhism, I’ve often argued that this Noble Truth isn’t true at all, or that it is simply a precursor to the other Noble Truths which teach one how to alleviate suffering. But recently I’ve changed my stance.


As a therapist, I am privy to the pain of many people. Many promising students have told me they won’t become therapists because they don’t feel they can handle listening to others’ pain. No one is in therapy because his life is amazing and he’s pain-free. So it is expected that a therapist hears, and sometimes dwells, in others' suffering.

What may be surprising, however, is how much pain people that aren’t my clients are in. Perhaps because I am a therapist, friends, colleagues, and students share their pain with me. Interestingly, their pain is often no less intense than those seeking relief in my therapy office; they struggle with it just as much. The point is the vast majority of the population is dealing with something painful.


Psychology Today 




7 comments:

mike norman said...

Get well soon.

Kaivey said...

Thank you, Mike!

Unknown said...

Try some Holmes Rolston for the silver lining in the dark clouds.

Peter Pan said...

No politics, no gastritis. Sounds like a reasonable compromise?

Matt Franko said...

“ Existence is Suffering”… yes and then we die…. tough role to play for sure…

Peter Pan said...

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
And you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's love's illusions that I recall
I really don't know love
Really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
Oh, but now old friends they're acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
It's life's illusions that I recall
I really don't know life
I really don't know life at all


Judy Collins - Both Sides Now (Official Audio)

Peter Pan said...

Another perspective, reputedly from a 14 year old boy:
Johnny Mandel - Suicide is painless (with lyrics)