A Question
Lately, I feel as if something is wrong. Wrong at a fundamental level.
When I look at the world, I see immense suffering—violence, loss, despair—and the usual explanations no longer make sense. Ideas like divine play, illusion, karma, or eventual liberation feel hollow when set against the scale of pain people endure every day.
Even the idea of God appearing in human form now seems limited. At times it feels as though even God is caught in the problem.
I keep wondering what enlightenment actually resolves. If one person awakens, billions still suffer. New lives enter the same cycle. Any private experience of bliss begins to feel wrong—almost selfish—while so many are crying out.
I have a good life, and even small difficulties affect me deeply. When I think of what others endure, I cannot reconcile that with claims of infinite mercy or power. If God is everywhere, then God is also present in all of this.
Meaning itself feels thin. The days repeat. The promise of liberation no longer inspires. I do not see an end to suffering, and I cannot understand why, if there is infinite compassion, this unnecessary drama continues.
One (possible) Answer (out of many alternatives)
You effectively describe a situation.
“A” situation. Not necessarily “the” situation.
You have captured one perspective or “frame” from which to process.
Your email may be taken in many different ways. Here’s a few that suggest themselves as possibilities:
- Your email constitutes a process by which you can attempt to capture your read on the situation.
- Often an email such as this is an expression of a hope that perhaps someone can say something that will have it all make sense.
- Your email is a stepping stone from which you can venture over a raging stream.
Addressing these in reverse order:
Regarding 3
This s just the first stone and the stream is wider than two hops. Suggesting that more than one stone will be required. Standing on this side of the stream there is no guarantee of another bank on the other side. It may or may not be a stream that requires being crossed.
Regarding 2
Consider this: words speak to that part of you that is attuned to words.
It is my experience that there are many, many circuits within the human biological machine. It is also my experience that the word circuit is not the part of me that can help with finding balance in this type of situation.
I’m not suggesting words are useless. I have personal experience—personally experienced that words can help shift perspective — i.e. frame. And with a shift in frame my experience in the world can shift.
Heart, soul, essence are better candidates for finding balance. However words are not the way to work with these. Heart, soul, essence resonate on other frequencies.
Regarding 1
Your presentation about the situation contains elements that include assessments which call out for deeper examination. With even a modest amount of inquiry they show themselves to not be as concrete or black and white as they seem.
For example, the expectation that a god should behave in a human-like manner. The questions are honest and direct. Enough so that they desire examination before drawing conclusions.
“What’s the deal with a god allowing so much pain?” When writing that sentence, it’s hard to avoid viewing the situation the same manner as I would watching a caregiver and children.
Spoiler alert: the relationship of a god to creation may not be the same as a caregiver to children. I’m not suggesting it isn’t. I am making the simple suggestion that it would be wise to not automatically fall into that assumption.
When judging a god based on human values, we may easily miss the picture. But, more importantly we can jump to conclusions triggering emotional reactions that are unnecessary.
One way to side-step this could be to step outside the realm of words. Put down the beta-brain and step away from churning in the realm of words.
Your reactions, perceptions, responses, and inner turmoil are legitimate. However, trying to process all of that with words may actually be precipitating unnecessary pain. But, more to the point, it is very likely that mental efforts alone are not the way out, or the way through.
So what to do about all of this?
What should I make of all this?
How do I deal with all of this?
It hurts when I think of this stuff.
Where is the father and the mother?
I reach out and embrace nothing.
Or so it seems.
Relax.
Unclench.
Let your facial mask go.
Put on your “I Am” resting face.
Then take a peek in your inner world.
See if you notice a question that resonates with: “What’s Next?”
In case you’ve forgotten them,
here are the three lines that I embrace at a time like this:
Delighted to be here.
Glad to be of service.
What can I do to help?
I’m assuming you have the four lines memorized and carved by habit into your core.
If you don’t know what I mean by the four lines, here they are.
All phenomena is illusion,
Neither attracted nor repelled.
Not making any sudden moves,
My habits will carry me through.
And if it gets real dicey, remember Solomon’s Key:
This too shall pass.