Roots of Sufferings

Roots of sufferings

Roots of sufferings are attachments to the notion of Self, thinking that each one of us humans is distinct and separate from one another, and thus believing that our primary obligation is to take care of ourselves first and if in the process of doing so, if we must hurt others, so be it. But Buddha preaches that such thinking is saturated with animalistic preoccupation and is a hindrance to achieving real understanding of the nature of life. We are all connected, he says. Too much preoccupation with Self leads to sufferings and is a stumbling block to enlightenment. Preoccupation with Self has several manifestations. The following are on top of my head:

1. Selfishness (Ego-Glorification): a childish and animalistic carry-over of excessive concern with physical survival. This leads to lack of love and inability to see that unselfishness is in fact more conducive to survival.

2. Greed comes from insecurity and lack of self-confidence. Again tied up with Ego-Glorification.

3. Anger. Ego-Glorification again. Animalistic desire to strike back at the source that threatens or annoys us.

So, Buddha was right. Everything that has something to do with suffering originates from excessive concern with Self. That's why we often see many humans behave like this: when they win, they win like gentlemen, but when they lose, they lose like jackasses. Very few humans carry themselves with dignity and grace at all times, no matter what the circumstances are. The noisiest ones are usually the weakest. They have to externalize their emotions. They lack self-control. Lest my friends think I am preaching and assuming a holier-than-thou attitude, let me hasten to emphasize here that I am a noisy one, hence belong to the weak category. Yet I am endlessly fascinated by animal behavior (ethology), including that of Man. I enjoy watching Animal Planet channel. I am amazed at how well the animal trainers interact with wild animals and succeed in training them. I wonder if these animal trainers also interact well with their fellow human animals.

I write about things that have personal meanings to me. Today's subject of sufferings is no exception. I submit that we suffer most at the hands of our fellow humans. Of course, they can bring us joy and comfort, too. But I would have to say, on balance, sufferings outnumber joys. I suppose a wise man is the one who, by virtue of his superior skills in social relationships, encounters more joys than sufferings. I also suppose he is a wise man because he recognizes ultimately we are all related and there is no separate Self so he does not take insults to heart and does not inflict pain on others in retaliation. From him exudes an aura of calmness, gentleness, and kindness. He is more ready to forgive than to condemn. He looks at jackasses with pity in lieu of anger. He is constantly aware that humans suffer because of ignorance of true nature of things. Harsh words and actions are uttered and taken because of a lack of inner equilibrium. Let us all remember we all feel hurt, so if we must state our disagreements, we do so with kindness and grace.