Weekend Journal Reflection: Suffering is Optional

 
“Pain is Inevitable.  Suffering is Optional”

– Haruki Murakami

Truth: You will Experience Pain

Pain is inevitable.

I remember the first time I read this Buddhist statement. I was trying to learn more about the spiritual practice. I found a book that promised to cover the fundamentals. Yet, I was disappointed when I read this as the opening line.

Pain is inevitable? How could a religion begin like this? Pain seemed like such a dark place to start. I was seeking hope and faith. Instead, I was told to embrace pain. Immediately, I was turned off.

Athletic Pain = Discomfort

However, I think there is much truth to this. This reality of pain is most obvious during my fitness classes.

When starting a class, we warm up our bodies. We begin by opening up the joints and raising our heartrates. We get the muscles active. In this warm-up, we are preparing for what we know is inevitable. During this class, we will be uncomfortable. There will be times when our bodies hurt and we can’t catch our breath. There are times we want to quit, to give up.

However, how do we dig deeper and keep moving? Knowing that discomfort (and pain) are part of a workout, how do we cope?

The Athlete Embraces Pain

One way of pushing through that pain is to embrace it. As athletes, we only grow stronger when we push through pain. In fact, these moments of pain are exactly what give us strength. Pushing that running cadence, adding an extra mile, and lifting heavier weights are all painful exercises. Yet, these are what build endurance, strength, and mental stamina.

As athletes, we learn to crave this discomfort. This the training that helps our bodies adapt and grow stronger. In turn, this training is non-negotiable. Suffering through it would only perpetuate the discomfort. Rather, embracing the pain enables us to relish in the strength it creates.

Choosing Not to Suffer

Just like athletes, we face pain in the real world. Pain can come from the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a parking spot. Sure, these all carry different weights, but they all have one thing in common: They are inevitable. At some point in each of our lives, we will lose a job, we will say good-bye to a loved one, and someone else will beat us to that prime parking space.

How we choose to cope, is what determines our character. Yes, we are permitted to mourn and grieve. However, we must also allow ourselves to celebrate gratitude. We must find joy, hope, and the faith that another parking spot will open up.

Avoid Suffering and Practice: Gratitude, Peace, Faith

My first tool for balancing pain? Find gratitude.

If I’m running and my legs feel heavy, I find gratitude that I have two fully-functioning legs. When loved ones pass away, I seek gratitude for the many gifts they shared. Or, when life brings the pain of loneliness and isolation, I seek appreciation for the simplest connections. Even if its just an interaction at a coffee shop, this opens the door to the gratitude I seek.

Peace and Faith also help me avoid suffering through pain. When there is pain over a situation that seems unfair, I find peace to let go of control. If I’m in pain over a lost client, I have faith that I will find another.

---

Your Thoughts: How do you Manage Pain to Avoid Suffering?

• Do you think pain is inevitable?
• Do you think suffering is inevitable?
• When do you feel pain?
• Do you have tools or mantras that help you avoid suffering?

Please reflect on these questions. Please share your thoughts. Our community thanks you.

Peace and chickpeas,

Chef Katie