Earlier I wrote about my fears regarding the outcome of the election. I hesitated to publish those thoughts because I knew they were based in my wanting things to be different from what they are. Yet I felt compelled to get my ideas into some manageable form.
Fear is suffering. If there is suffering, there is a cause of it. Much of the cause has to do with identifying with a particular political party and the views it espouses. Opposite that is my aversion to a particular party and its views.
The goal is to end suffering. The only way to do that is first to recognize suffering for what it is. Without knowing what the problem is, I cannot begin to search for a solution.
The solution is to eradicate the cause. The only way to discover the cause is to search for it and be able to identify it when it presents itself.
Clinging to one view plus having an aversion to another is a formula for dukkha (suffering). No clinging, no aversion, no suffering.
Simple.
2 Comments
I also think that we have to experience suffering so that we are able to recognize it in others.
The last eight years have been a wonderful teacher in that regard. I think we are all much more clear on the concept now, and can hopefully begin to address alleviating the suffering around us, both that which we have caused and that which we have not.
Yes, I agree, HSF. Sometimes the worst examples are the best teachers. And here I must include my own unskillful behavior as being a good teacher as well.
PaulG