The world has contextualised suffering in such a way that we feel pity for the sufferers. This could be something trivial, like someone breaking a bone. Or it could be something existential, like mass starvation.
But what if feeling sorry for those suffering is doing more harm than good? What if feeling sorry for those suffering is because we don’t see suffering in its proper context?
Is Our Purpose To Suffer?
“We’re All Just Walking Each Other Home” – Ram Dass
If we consider the purpose of an individuals life is to learn, which is to say, to elevate themselves to higher levels of consciousness – then suffering is the teacher, with life being the school.
Where did we get the idea from that we shouldn’t suffer anyway? As Buddha said – “Life is suffering”. It’s the perfect playground to grow up and elevate ourselves.
Suffering is, therefore, of great benefit to the soul. It just takes a different context and a meta-view of life to see it.
Karmic Opportunity
“Every hair on one’s head is numbered (counted)” – Luke 12:7
Through clinical study, it’s been learnt that everybody is born with a ripe karmic opportunity for the evolution of their soul.
I was speaking to a friend last week who mentioned a lady called Teal Swan. She was the victim of pretty horrific abuse at the hands of a religious sex cult throughout her childhood. She is now a spiritual teacher and claims that her soul asked for these experiences to maximise the potential for evolution in this lifetime. You can hear more about her story here.
One’s level of consciousness represents karmic inheritance with its own ‘Attractor Fields’. The Map of Consciousness can be a roadmap to transcending these levels and working your way towards a more spiritually evolved state. Therefore by the nature of Karma, suffering is an inheritance that allows ascension.
Liberation
Catastrophe, whether in an individuals life or a group, holds the seed of liberation.
It’s well known that the worst of times usually end up being the best of times in retrospect. This is when we learn the most about ourselves and have to find strength in the depth of despair.
It may be wise to pray for these opportunities of liberation rather than running from them. And when others are suffering, keeping this awareness in mind will benefit them and the whole world.
Empathy
Empathy is not the same as feeling sorry. Empathy is a deep understanding of the Human condition and the role that suffering plays in the unfoldment of life.
If you see someone suffering, don’t feel sorry for them. It deprives them of agency – if you say you’re sorry, you’re subtly removing their power. Be empathetic, be grounded and provide the support that is needed in that moment. Human beings are far stronger than we give them credit for.