[QvhhbjLy]

Yeah, I know. It's just something to think about; people can even misunderstand dukkha, which is funny because the whole point is to overcome dukkha (to abandon the cause of suffering, so as to overcome suffering itself).

[S.T.D.]

Seems that the endlessly punishment is learnt through social conditioning.

I agree. Many societies expect their members to take responsibility for things over which they have no immediate control. How frustrating and hurtful it can be for a person who is having trouble controlling an emotion when they are told or read that they have made a choice to indulge in that emotion and should simply choose not to do so!

This approach certainly does nothing to help them. The correct (Buddhist) approach, I think, is to recognise that the emotion is caused and conditioned by things which are not-self. First one becomes aware of this idea, then one believes it, then one remembers it when unpleasant emotions arise.

Eventually, we establish a new mental habit - that of not responding to the generated emotion, or perhaps responding to it with understanding and compassion. In time this leads to the emotion weakening more quickly, and arising less often and with less intensity.

This is how we traverse the path to freedom from the dukkha strong, unpleasant emotions may generate.

[paulaglober]

Yeah, I know. It's just something to think about; people can even misunderstand dukkha, which is funny because the whole point is to overcome dukkha (to abandon the cause of suffering, so as to overcome suffering itself).

Yeah.

[Singukil]

Perhaps it may be useful to think of an example: suppose we stub our toe violently and are hopping around in extreme discomfort. Just then, a car hits a pedestrian on the street nearby and our attention is diverted. We forget the pain completely. Awareness of the pain ... pouf! What has changed? The mind has shifted.

Yes, we can not avoid pain; but what we can avoid is to add Dukkha when experiencing pain. Pain can lead, in an untamed mind, to may associations that end in stress, lamentation, etc,.

[cbUDaNFRu]

Sorry seems that we were under the same idea and I posted at the same time you did guys,

[Turbo-ip]

'Samsara' isn't a place. The world and life in it is just as it is. Its how we perceive and interpret the world and ourselves in it, and our mostly delusory mental condition which causes dissatisfaction and suffering

Some comments on the meaning of 'Samsara'.........

Samsara literally means "wandering-on." Many people think of it as the Buddhist name for the place where we currently live — the place we leave when we go to nibbana. But in the early Buddhist texts, it's the answer, not to the question, "Where are we?" but to the question, "What are we doing?" Instead of a place, it's a process: the tendency to keep creating worlds and then moving into them. As one world falls apart, you create another one and go there. At the same time, you bump into other people who are creating their own worlds, too.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/a...o/samsara.html

[Erwtbimp]

I have lately found I wake in the morning feeling very relaxed, sort of tingling all over, and been able to recognise and stay within that feeling for a while. It feels like I can consciously keep my mind controlled in that state of real peace and I know that somehow it helps healing. Yesterday I had a headache all day so I meditated quietly before going to sleep, and my head is now clear.

I know this is tremendous progress for me because in the past I used to have dreadful migraines/headaches for days and be stuffing down painkillers to no avail, being sick and being utterly miserable. It is lovely knowing that I now have growing control over my own health and healing.

Does anyone understand what I am going on about!

[flower-buy]

When one is feeling relaxed is an excellent way to gently focus on the breathing and let go of mental proliferation.
Meditating in the morning when we have had some sleep can also be a beneficial way to start to the day and a good way to finish it off and get a decent night's sleep.

Nice to hear that you're getting some benefit from practising, Milly.

[VQdeochratis]

Yep, Aloka-D, it's working!

I hope you and everyone is having a lovely weekend.