This can be tough to swallow, because bad things happen in the world. Horrible things. And it’s hard to wrap our minds around why that greater reality (God, Allah, whomever) would allow bad things to happen.
My mind swirled when Krishna Das talked about that greater reality at a workshop. It’s not that I haven’t heard it before or that I don’t believe it. It’s just that I wonder all the time what it’s all about. Why these horrible things happen in the world. (I do watch too much Dateline.)
What about this idea that bad things teach someone lessons? Not necessarily the victim, either. Not that long ago I read something that pinged me big-time: “we’re not here for lessons, but to remind ourselves of what we already know.” Because as souls, we come in with a boatload of knowledge. Knowledge that we seem to forget once we’re involved in our lives on earth.
Krishna Das pointed out also that “It’s grace that saves all of us but it dresses up as something else when it comes.”
So, I think to myself, how are these bad things “grace?”
And I remember something else he said, quoting the Buddha: “there is no possibility of life without suffering.”
I can’t say I subscribe completely to the Buddhist view of life, but I do believe that life entails suffering. We can’t avoid it. Some suffer more than others. I have no explanation for that.
I can only trust that when we leave this life and move back “home” all will be revealed.
Wondering if you have any thoughts about that.
Barbara says
April 17, 2019 at 9:19 amI think I try to stay in grace by giving gratitude, focusing on the good, big or small that comes my way.
Beth Havey says
April 17, 2019 at 12:25 pmI also try to stay in grace by being open to people and their needs. I struggle to understand some people’s choices, and find myself becoming more vocal as I age. (Better cool it, Beth) But I truly believe in the basic goodness of our species and want to use empathy to try to help others. And yes, suffering is part of life.
Laurie Stone says
April 17, 2019 at 12:43 pmThat’s always my greatest hurdle with faith. Why do bad things happen to good people, especially children? Maybe there is some cosmic reason, but very hard to see from this human perspective.
Laurie Stone recently posted…6 Reasons Not to Get Another Cat…*sniff*
Doreen McGettigan says
April 17, 2019 at 7:26 pmIt’s all about free will. God (or whoever) does not make bad things happen, people do:(
Carol Cassara says
April 17, 2019 at 7:32 pmThat may be the mechanism, but it’s not the reason. It’s not the clue to the role it plays in the greater plan.
Linda Hobden says
April 24, 2019 at 2:53 am‘Tis a mystery indeed why suffering occurs – in any capacity. Different religions & thoughts have different reasons and different ways of dealing with suffering. The old adage, No Pain No Gain, springs to mind ….
Rachael Stray says
May 22, 2019 at 4:20 amI think through suffering whatever it may be it makes you appreciate the better times all that much more.
Trudy says
May 30, 2019 at 3:41 pmIt’s all à lesson and because our vision is very focused on our small world, it’s hard to see the positive outcome. Not everything put into motion has anything to do with a higher power because man has free will as well. So we can’t always judge who’s will is being executed.