All suffering is both a way to exhaust negative karma and a kind of tempering. The fact that you can endure such things means you have the capacity to do so. In other words, it’s an opportunity to cultivate your abilities. We shouldn’t call it an opportunity to suffer; rather, it’s an opportunity to cultivate your abilities. It’s about whether you have the ability to endure these things. If you can face them with joy and a willingness to endure everything and transcend yourself, that’s true skill! We don’t necessarily have to understand it as suffering. If you understand it as suffering, it’s difficult to generate joy.
It’s incredibly important to use wisdom to view suffering. Whether you become better or worse is entirely determined by your mind, because the mind is fundamental!”
Explanation of Key Concepts:
Exhausting negative karma: This refers to the idea that suffering can be seen as a way to work through negative actions from past lives.
Tempering: This suggests that suffering can strengthen one’s character and resilience.
Cultivating abilities: Suffering can provide opportunities for personal growth and the development of new skills.
Transcending oneself: This means overcoming one’s limitations and achieving a higher state of being.
Mind as fundamental: The mind is seen as the root cause of all experiences, both positive and negative.
Overall Theme:
The article emphasizes a positive and proactive approach to suffering. It suggests that by viewing suffering as an opportunity for growth and cultivating a joyful attitude, one can overcome adversity and achieve personal fulfillment. The importance of the mind in shaping one’s experiences is also highlighted.