Suffering is a universal experience that affects all living beings. We may suffer from physical pain, emotional distress, loss, injustice, or any other form of hardship. We may wonder why we suffer, what is the purpose of suffering, and how can we cope with suffering.
Some people may try to explain suffering by attributing it to a divine plan, a karmic consequence, or a natural law. They may seek to justify suffering by finding a meaning, a lesson, or a reward behind it. They may hope that suffering will end when they achieve a certain goal, change a certain situation, or reach a certain state.
However, these explanations may not satisfy our deepest questions, nor alleviate our deepest anguish. They may even add to our suffering by making us feel guilty, resentful, or hopeless. They may keep us trapped in a cycle of suffering, where we react to pain with more pain.
The alternative to explaining suffering is transcending suffering. To transcend suffering means to go beyond the surface level of our experience, and connect with the deeper level of our essence. To transcend suffering means to recognize that we are not defined by our suffering, but by our source. To transcend suffering means to realize that we are not separate from God, but one with God.
God is the name we give to the ultimate reality, the ground of being, the source of all existence. God is not a thing or a place, but a person, presence, a power, and a principle. God is not distant, indifferent, or judgmental, but intimate, compassionate, and forgiving. God is not limited, partial, or exclusive, but infinite, universal, and inclusive.
When we transcend suffering, we align ourselves with God. We open ourselves to God’s grace, which is the unmerited and unconditional love that God has for us. We surrender ourselves to God’s will, which is the highest and best outcome that God intends for us. We trust ourselves to God’s care, which is the constant and reliable support that God provides for us.
Transcending suffering does not mean that we deny, avoid, or escape from our suffering. It does not mean that we ignore, suppress, or numb our feelings. It does not mean that we accept, tolerate, or resign to our suffering. Transcending suffering means that we face, embrace, and transform our suffering. It means that we acknowledge, express, and heal our feelings. It means that we challenge, change, and overcome our suffering.
Transcending suffering is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process. It is not a passive state, but an active practice. It is not a solitary journey, but a communal endeavor. We transcend suffering by engaging in spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, meditation, service, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. We transcend suffering by seeking guidance from spiritual sources, such as scriptures, traditions, teachers, and spiritual mentors. We transcend suffering by sharing our stories with spiritual communities, such as families, friends, groups, and congregations.
Suffering is not explained, it is transcended. When we transcend suffering, we discover the peace, joy, and freedom that God offers us. When we transcend suffering, we manifest the wisdom, power, and love that God instills in us. When we transcend suffering, we experience the kingdom, the presence, and the glory of God within us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come to You in our moments of deepest pain and suffering. We acknowledge the universal experience of suffering that touches all aspects of our lives, from physical discomfort to emotional turmoil and beyond.
We recognize that our explanations and justifications for suffering often fall short, adding to our anguish rather than alleviating it. We see the trap of reacting to pain with more pain, and we yearn for a way beyond this cycle.
We seek Your guidance in transcending our suffering, moving beyond the surface level of our experiences to connect with the deeper essence of our being. We yearn to recognize that we are not defined by our suffering but by our source, that we are not separate from You but one with You.
We pray for Your grace to flow into our lives, unmerited and unconditional, that it may heal our wounds and soothe our souls. We ask for Your will to guide us, that it may lead us to the highest and best outcomes in our lives. We trust in Your care, that it may support us in our journey.
We understand that transcending suffering is not a denial or escape but a transformation. It means facing our suffering with open hearts and minds, embracing it as a part of our human experience, and using it as a catalyst for growth and change.
We commit to engaging in spiritual disciplines that will help us transcend suffering: prayer, meditation, service, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. We seek Your guidance through scriptures, traditions, teachers, and mentors, and we share our stories with spiritual communities, recognizing the interconnectedness of our lives.
Lord, we believe in the peace, joy, and freedom You offer us, the wisdom, power, and love You instill in us, and the kingdom, presence, and glory of Your love within us. We pray for the strength to transcend suffering and to live in the light of Your eternal love.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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