When Suffering Is Clearly Seen, the Path to Happiness Appears
In Buddhism, suffering is examined in many forms. There is the suffering of pain, the suffering of formations, and the suffering of change; in our lives, there is suffering that is difficult to avoid.
Among these, the suffering of body and mind is something everyone meets easily. The body cannot always stay healthy; it may become ill or injured. The mind too is shaken by sadness, anger, dislike, and by things not going as we wish.
When suffering arises, what matters is not simply disliking it vaguely or only trying to avoid it. First, we need to know suffering properly, and then look into what causes that suffering.
A central teaching of Buddhism is to know suffering, know its cause, know that there is resolution, and directly practice the path of resolution. The problems of daily life also become clearer when seen in this order.
If discomfort appears in body or mind today, look at it carefully, find its cause, and try one small act of resolution. Happiness comes closer when understanding does not stop as understanding, but continues into right action.
The suffering of body and mind comes to everyone. When the body is ill or injured, or when the mind is sad, angry, or unable to have things as it wishes, we feel suffering. At that time, do not only avoid suffering; know what is painful, look into the cause, find a way to resolve it, and practice it directly. In that way, suffering lessens and happiness comes closer.
