Friday, April 18, 2014

When we touch suffering, do we see a connection to happiness?

Stillness reigned around the Cross. 
Jesus hung upon it alone; forsaken by all, 
— disciples, followers, friends, 
his Mother even was removed from his side; 
not one person of the thousands upon whom he had 
lavished benefits was near to offer him 
the slightest alleviation in his bitter agony, 
— his soul was overspread with an indescribable 
feeling of bitterness and grief,
— all within him was dark, gloomy, and wretched.
-- The Dolorous Passion

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The Buddha told us to recognize the first noble truth, 
the truth of suffering, and to look deeply in order to discover 
the second noble truth, the cause of suffering.
That is the only way the fourth noble truth, 
the path to transform suffering into happiness, can reveal itself. 
So we have to emphasize the role of suffering. 
If we are so afraid of suffering, 
we have no chance.
-- Thich Nhat Hanh

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