Just as Jesus' teaching was filled with wisdom on how to walk this earth in lovingkindness, he also had a lot to say on the nature of suffering, and the ways in which we bring more suffering on ourselves through our fears, cravings and aversions. Jesus reminded us: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Gospel of Matthew, 5:45).

Jesus knew that we all suffer. And two thousand years ago, when Jesus was teaching, people thought that suffering came down on people because of their own sin (let's be honest, sometimes we still make that mistake, or use the "karma cop-out" as a reason for judging rather than helping). Once, the people asked Jesus why someone was born blind, whether it was because of the sins of the parents or his own sins, and Jesus' answered that it was neither thing... then he proceeded to heal that person (Gospel of John, Chapter 9).

And did Jesus tell us how to be happy? Sure... he had lots to say about that, too. Check out our page on his eight happinesses, and meditate on his koans too!

Beware of the desire for things, for one's life does not equal an abundance of possessions. — Luke 12:15

Sufferation and Liberation

Have you ever wondered: what's all this about liberation, what's liberation theology and what does it have to do with death and resurrection? Liberation theology is reasonably new, and definitely profound thinking that originated in Latin America, where a lot of suffering has taken place at the hands of injustice and tyranny. It paints a vivid imagery of a God who suffers with us—good news for the oppressed, who suffer, not so good for those who oppress or cause the suffering, nor for those who stand silently by and allow the suffering to continue. We've heard that the secret to great success is choosing your ancestors, so it's interesting that Jesus was born to an unwed mother, of a people who suffered under tyranny--the family became refugees, to save the baby Jesus from threat of infanticide. Jesus was well acquainted with suffering and oppression. There arises an image of a God weeping in agony with us, having given us the exquisite gift of free will.

Well, if you take it one step further, and can get your head and heart to go with 'Jesus had a God nature' (commonly people talk about him as Son of God) and that he died and rose, then some profound mysteries arise. Because that allows us to explore a Jesus who might have ministered to the dead, and a Jesus who can be with us now, in our suffering. This is a Jesus who can help us to transcend that moment, a Jesus who can heal our hearts. This can allow us to look at the pain of the past and with newly opened eyes, so we don't have to keep finding ways to anesthetize ourselves or blotting it all from our consciousness. It answers the question 'where is God in our suffering?' because God loved enough to send Jesus, to show us a way out. And it's not a big leap of the imagination to see where anyone questioning the tyranny of the day, Rome's impirial power, would end up: execution as a traitor to the empire, which is what happened to Jesus. Do you think God wouldn't have known this risk? What story is more helpful to us, that of a hateful and vengeful God that demands human sacrifice, or one who loves us so much as to come in loving nonviolence and die in loving nonviolence, showing us the way, truth and light?

The Gospels on the Cessation of Suffering and the Overcoming of Fears

FEAR NOT: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. — Matthew 10:28-31

WORRY NOT: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? — Matthew 6:25-31

CRAVE NOT: And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. — Luke 12:29-31

FOLLOW: I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. — John 12:46

PRESENT MOMENT: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.— Matthew 6:34

PRACTICE HUMILITY: The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts his/herself will be humbled, and whoever humbles his/herself will be exalted. — Matthew 23:11-12

PRACTICE PRAYER: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. — Matthew 26:41

CULTIVATE BEGINNER'S MIND: And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." — Matthew 18:3-5