Life and suffering


Suffering ranges from the physical pains of injuries and sickness
through anguish and stress in adapting to changes in our lives
and to the ongoing discomfort, anxiety and apprehension
of feeling alone in a competitive and hostile world.

Thinking from the past, planning for the future
our minds, rife with daydreams and delusions,
seek gratification, and hope to attain,
to alleviate or compensate our physical, psychological, and emotional pain.

Life itself is problematic and ever-changing,
yet in we complicate it through our aversions and desires
and our attachments and ownerships
and we suffer in order to serve our objectives, and interests.

At best, suffering extends one's life
letting go of desires and aversions
being mindful of the present
being fully alive now.


Back to Buddhism in a Nutshell
Back to How and Why to Meditate
Back to Mind and Meditation

Information, teachers, and locations for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Information, teachers, and locations for Bay Area Zen Centers
Information, teachers, and locations for Insight Meditation Centers