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**Lidawka** · 04-02-2012, 02:32 PM

So what did the Buddha mean by the cessation of suffering, if not an ultimate end to suffering? Would such a state of mind even be worth it? Suffering seems human to me, and to not ever suffer seems unnatural. To attempt to achieve non-suffering seems to me like trying to swim against the current. Why not just float downstream?

What do you think? I'm kind of in limbo right now because this is a pretty drastic change in thinking for me. Where does the Buddha's path really lead? Suffering is impermanent, and accepting suffering as a part of life makes more sense to me than trying to achieve a state in which suffering is no more.

Looking forward to your input/advice. Thanks!

Whilst I understand what you mean about accepting suffering as being a part of life there is another way of looking at it.
From my experience, I can see how practice has assisted me to become more intolerant of suffering rather than accepting it.
For example, practice has enabled me to see how I tolerate, avoid and accept feelings of dissatisfaction in unhealthy ways and from seeing this practice then also helps me to change these patterns rather than continue on in unproductive ways. Hope that makes sense.

04-02-2012, 02:32 PM	#8
Lidawka Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 537 Senior Member	So what did the Buddha mean by the cessation of suffering, if not an ultimate end to suffering? Would such a state of mind even be worth it? Suffering seems human to me, and to not ever suffer seems unnatural. To attempt to achieve non-suffering seems to me like trying to swim against the current. Why not just float downstream? What do you think? I'm kind of in limbo right now because this is a pretty drastic change in thinking for me. Where does the Buddha's path really lead? Suffering is impermanent, and accepting suffering as a part of life makes more sense to me than trying to achieve a state in which suffering is no more. Looking forward to your input/advice. Thanks! Whilst I understand what you mean about accepting suffering as being a part of life there is another way of looking at it. From my experience, I can see how practice has assisted me to become more intolerant of suffering rather than accepting it. For example, practice has enabled me to see how I tolerate, avoid and accept feelings of dissatisfaction in unhealthy ways and from seeing this practice then also helps me to change these patterns rather than continue on in unproductive ways. Hope that makes sense.
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