As we all know, Lyme affects people of every race, creed and religion. The Buddhist spiritual beliefs that I have encountered have helped me through this challenging journey. I'm wondering if anyone else is interested in sharing this perspective.
I think I'll post for a little while and see if anyone else out there would be interested in this thread.
[ 03-27-2011, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: 4Seasons ]
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
"Everyone's life has its unique mixture of joy and suffering. We have the life we're given. It's up to us if we live it in anger and resentment or in open-minded acceptance." (Toni Bernard)
This quote really speaks to me. As a thirty year veteran of chronic pain (undiagnosed Lyme until 3 years ago), I spent many years waiting, waiting, waiting for thing to change. I am doing everything I can to get better, but as I look back on my life, I want to measure it by the joy I've experienced, not the suffering.
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
"Although there is no certainty about what lies ahead, people live with the hope that all will go well for them. It is impossible to fulfill our life when we are utterly discouraged. But if we manage to keep our hopes in the future alive, we will be able to overcome all sorts of difficulties and go on living." - The Dalai Lama
Those of us with Lyme know all about discouragements and difficulties, don't we? And yet we manage to keep plugging along (at least most days). For me, hope is a balancing act - I want to remain optimistic about my chances for better health in the future, but not lose sight of whatever peace or joy I can find in today.
And what if I am one of the ones who doesn't get better? Can I still live a meaningful life?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
please pm me-yours is full
Posted by racer (Member # 30438) on :
Nice choices for quotes - please do more when you can.
racer
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
I wouldn't say I am a Buddhist but the philosophies resonate with me.
The phrase "in this moment I am okay" has gotten me through some very difficult days.
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
Unsure - I wouldn't actually call myself a Buddhist either. I think of myself as "spiritual" rather than having a specific belief. However, like you, I do find that many of the philosophies resonate with me too.
Life is quite an interesting journey.
Posted by suz9601 (Member # 6968) on :
I am not Buddhist but I think we can learn a lot from their philosophies. I am just starting to look into this and do find that it helps at times. Please continue to share. Thanks!
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill-health. There is no way to escape having ill-health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand. -The Buddha
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
I am a follower of Buddhist thought/philosophy and incorporate it into both my work and personal life.
From the pain and suffering that I have experienced the one thing that keeps me going is the notion of the potential of transcendence in pain and suffering...The ability for pain and suffering to transform us in such a way that we become much more of what and who we ever thought we could be. Brings us closer to a place of authentic compassion...for both ourselves and others.
Posted by stillwater (Member # 30312) on :
I don't know if many are aware of this, but Dr. H in NY is a Buddhist.
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
Desertwind - yes, I have found this to be true, as well.
I have been pondering the suffering I experience in my life and trying to notice when the suffering is mental, rather than physical and what I can do to change that. Trying to check out my assumptions and have compassion for others and what they are going through in their lives rather than taking things personally.
Posted by sizzled (Member # 1357) on :
From the book by Thich Nhat Hanh,"Peace Is Every Breath".
Each step is a miracle. Each step is healing. Each step is nourishing. Each step is freedom.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
There is profound wisdom to these thoughts. We can apply them to our lives even if we have different religious beliefs. Thank you 4Seasons for starting this thread Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Sammy, I agree with your comment.
Lymenet Friends, I enjoyed reading your posts.
4Seasons says, "For me, hope is a balancing act - I want to remain optimistic about my chances for better health in the future, but not lose sight of whatever peace or joy I can find in today."
I am so with you on that! No Hope for the future makes a big difference today. Hope for the future makes a big difference today.
Blessings!
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
Sammy & daisyrib - I'm glad you're finding some value in this thread. I'm appreciating your comments.
"Don't make a cult of suffering" (E. Jong in How To Save Your Own Life)
I've thought about this quote a lot over the past couple decades when I've been in pain.
It is so easy to nurture our suffering and let it define us. (especially those of us with so much physical pain).
But, ultimately, I want gauge my life by my triumphs, not my tragedies.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)