by blukatzen » Fri 30 Nov 2007, 15:22:53
Define "suffer" Ludi. That can have many different meanings, as you well know.
Suffering mentally due to a physical ailment, is chronic and offers no relief. I know this from a family situation.
One of my Aunts, had a degenerating disc problem in her spine, and was in severe pain. She opted (a few years back) for a laminectomy, despite the surgeon and her primary care physician warning her about her congestive heart problems, et. al. She wasn't a great candidate for surgery. She made it through the surgery ok, until her heart problem kicked in and killed her when she was in post-op. Despite the warnings from her doctors, she had the hope of living with reduced pain, she knew she would not be pain free.
Same with an uncle, who had cancer. He would do anything for pain relief at the end. No one wants to see another suffer like this.
If this relates to suffering due to a non-physical situation (like the ones mentioned above) that is strictly emotional in nature, well, I would say one will have to enlarge their perimeters for what may be coming down the pike.
What does that mean? You will have to endure death more easily (others), and see it as the release it can be. This does NOT mean I advocate suicide AT ALL. I am speaking about death as it once was maybe 100 years or more..before we got folks on hospital life support systems that prolong the obvious. Back then, folks went to the hospital to set broken bones, stitch something up, or die.
I had buried my family, mom in '94, dad in '97, business partner in '97, and 2 Aunts in '98. That is 5 people I loved in less than 5 years. There was a lot of suffering on my part, but it also teaches you patience, and compassion. It is not easy to hold the hand of a person that knows they are dying, and are afraid of the other side of the veil.
And I continue to suffer, each year, less and less, though, as I miss them. However, I know this is the cycle of life.
The above should teach anyone respect for life, and most of the useless thinking and actions by many who have not had these experiences in a way, are missing out on a lesson about their own humanity. Suffering expands your awareness.
It also should teach you..or anyone..the value of life, because their is so much potential for suffering in this life.
I mean to say this, that as we "power down" we shall see more disease, more hard labor, more endurance needed that will break down folks earlier. It will be quite a shock to many to have to live this way.
So expect that you will truly see suffering in your life, as we have been artificially cocooned away from the suffering that even today many in other countries face.
However, we can also experience their simple joys, many have chosen not to in order to opt for pleasures in front of a TV set, or shopping. I imagine that our joys will be balanced as well. We have to remember that our joys and our victories will be simpler as well, we should savor them as best we can.
I intend to savor the best I can. I have suffered enough for it. And I have found the balance, and an endurance for that balance,which is the best way to live. (for me.)