From "Early Morning Buddhist Inspirations"

[sabrinamari]

"People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Comments

[siobhra.livejournal.com]

On the TV show Star Trek they said the same thing about hate. Once you let hate get a strong hold on you it is very hard to let it go. That hate is like an old pair of jeans. It has molded to the body and is like a second skin. A new pair of pants made of the finest silk would feel course against your skin in place of those old jeans.
Love would be like sandpaper if worn in place of hate.

[radiant-one.livejournal.com]

I still have a hard time with this.

In fact, my ER run was in part due to not wanting to take medicine because it usually causes intense side effects.

I know the suffering I am in. Somehow I treat it stupidly like it is my beloved. I hold the suffering close. I even display it, like I am proud of it.

Instead I (we) must be brave and release the suffering and accept the newness which is healing. Which is scary and unknown.

*hugs*

[sligoe.livejournal.com]

Having run up against this very fear on SUnday, I can say that it is indeed hard to let go of suffering, especially if there is something to gain by the public display of said suffering. It has to be let go, though, or there is no light or joy---only darkness and death of the spirit.

I have a lovely framed quote on my wall that says "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." (Anais Nin) It's painful to blossom, but oh, how beautiful!

Hugs. And blossoms. :)

[shades-of-nyx.livejournal.com]

Guilty!
I could use to let that go.