I have been reading the Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho. It talks about Buddha’s teachings and the Eight-Fold Path to enlightenment. For my mindfulness challenge, I decided to read a chapter and write about it. The chapter I read was on suffering and how we cause our pain.
Most of us know someone who always seems to suffer. Those who suffer get feel hurt by others, never seem happy and are quick to be offended. These people almost always have the need to be right. They blame others for their feelings and pain. They don’t see that they are the real problem.
However, what if you recognize the person that is suffering is you?
Congratulations. The first step of getting out of suffering is self-awareness. Recognizing that you are the one causing your suffering.
We each have a choice of how we respond to any given situation. If someone hurts us, we can choose to suffer by being upset, angry, annoyed, or even feeling hate toward that person. A better way is one of understanding. When we seek first to understand, we save ourselves from un-needed suffering.
The challenge I give you is this:
The next time someone says something to you that hurts your feelings, don’t assume. Ask this person if what they have said was meant to hurt you. You will be surprised to find that many people don’t realize how they come across.
If they didn’t mean anything harmful by their words, perhaps the problem is in you. You will need to look inside yourself. The more we question ourselves, the more we come to understand what it is that causes our suffering. Thus, giving us a choice out of suffering.
What if they meant to hurt your feelings? Express yourself clearly and let them know that you don’t tolerate that. If they choose to continue on that path, you will have to keep your distance from them.
The second part of this challenge is to read something spiritual or enlightening and leave a comment as to what lesson you’ve learned.
Don’t forget to leave a comment on last week’s Mindfulness Challenge, Throw A Stone, and let me know what you learned.
If you or someone you know would benefit from these mindfulness challenges, please sign up for our mailing list here. I would love for you to be a part of our mindful tribe.
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