DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - How do we deal with physical suffering (self and others)

**anolbom** · 07-11-2011, 02:18 PM

Hi B,

I acknowledge that it is challenging to reconcile trauma and illness, yet suffering exists. It is just so. But your experiences (good and bad) have placed you on a spiritual path and I am glad you are here to share your journey with us. You are not alone in your suffering and through the sharing of your story you become part of our stories as well.

From a personal perspective, I can only share what I "know" and, after a most difficult year marked by the loss of a child and a cancer diagnosis, I found myself drawn once again to my daily yoga and meditation practice which has helped tremendously to quiet my mind and focus on the present. And made me question "Why am I clinging to these thoughts? This pain? This trauma?" "Why do I need this?" I was so attached to my own pain! Learning to let go is a process, but nonattachment feels healthier to me these days as I shift my focus outward.

From the perspective of a health practitioner, it is distressing to witness suffering in others. So often patients "become their illness" and I have found some therapeutic value in connecting with patients on a more personal level, trying to support their emotional health and encouraging family connections and support system. Because more than pain itself, I sense that what patients fear the most is that they are or will be alone with their pain.

Anyway, thanks for initiating a thoughful discussion and enjoy the reads recommended by Kaarine and stuka - I think I will check them out myself. Namaste!

07-11-2011, 02:18 PM	#18
anolbom Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	Hi B, I acknowledge that it is challenging to reconcile trauma and illness, yet suffering exists. It is just so. But your experiences (good and bad) have placed you on a spiritual path and I am glad you are here to share your journey with us. You are not alone in your suffering and through the sharing of your story you become part of our stories as well. From a personal perspective, I can only share what I "know" and, after a most difficult year marked by the loss of a child and a cancer diagnosis, I found myself drawn once again to my daily yoga and meditation practice which has helped tremendously to quiet my mind and focus on the present. And made me question "Why am I clinging to these thoughts? This pain? This trauma?" "Why do I need this?" I was so attached to my own pain! Learning to let go is a process, but nonattachment feels healthier to me these days as I shift my focus outward. From the perspective of a health practitioner, it is distressing to witness suffering in others. So often patients "become their illness" and I have found some therapeutic value in connecting with patients on a more personal level, trying to support their emotional health and encouraging family connections and support system. Because more than pain itself, I sense that what patients fear the most is that they are or will be alone with their pain. Anyway, thanks for initiating a thoughful discussion and enjoy the reads recommended by Kaarine and stuka - I think I will check them out myself. Namaste!
	Quote