RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering
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When people have met with
suffering and become victims of suffering, they come to me and ask me
about the noble truth of suffering. Being asked, I explain to them the
noble truth of suffering. (MN 77) What is suffering? (MN 9)
Bodily pain is suffering: bodily pain; bodily discomfort; painful, uncomfortable feeling born of bodily contact. (MN 9)
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We don’t need
much help in understanding this point—that suffering can present itself
in the form of bodily pain. A natural reaction to this pain is to resist
it, push it away, or find a way to either avoid it or avoid being aware
of it. While pain is an inevitable part of the human situation, the
Buddha teaches that we can modify how much we suffer when experiencing
pain by how much awareness we bring to the experience.
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When you are in
pain, try turning toward it and observing it with interest rather than
resenting it or trying to avoid it. It is happening, so it won’t help to
deny it. Look pain in the face and examine its texture and how it
presents itself in your experience. See when it is sharp or dull,
fleeting or constant, pulsing or steady. Turning toward the actual
sensation of pain is the first step toward mitigating the suffering it
brings.
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Tomorrow: Cultivating Lovingkindness
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering
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Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.
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