Mental suffering is caused by rejecting our interpretation of the events in our experience.*
So we can ask:
“How can I reinterpret these events to feel more at peace?”
“How are these events helping me?”**
“What can I learn from this?”
For example, when we experience physical pain we sometimes focus on that as a PROBLEM and try to stop it — we cover it up with numbing ointments and pain killers (not that there’s anything wrong with that per se, unless that’s ALL we do)…
We REJECT it (rejecting ourSELF in the process, thus creating mental suffering that is impossible to avoid, because we generally associate with our bodies as our “self” — in some cases we may even despise ourselves for these “problems”)…
BUT we are ignorant of the fact that the pain response is both a powerful physiological response to help us protect ourselves but also part of the healing process. It can also be instructional in some ways…. From any angle, it’s important.
From that perspective we can learn to LOVE and appreciate that SAME pain.
From this new perspective there is no mental suffering.
We remain present and open. The healing does its work and we are supportive of that process.
In the same way, with the “painful problems” in our lives, we have the potential to move from suffering…. to healing, PEACE… and even gratitude.
“How can I reinterpret these events to feel more at peace?”
“How are these events helping me?”**
“What can I learn from this?”
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*For the average person with a well-functioning brain, a healthy microbiome and relatively good/balanced nutritional intake which supports production of “feel-good” neurotransmitters and avoids over-production of cortisol (stress hormone). You can find some excellent, well-researched articles about these topics at the following links…
**Obviously there are some “events” that are intrinsically harmful and simply should be avoided, such as abusive/violent circumstances, drug/alcohol abuse, self-harm, etc.