The first Noble Truth in Buddhism is that life is suffering. There are various off-shoots of this Noble Truth. One I particularly like is: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional”.
How many of you feel pain, anxiety, stress, discomfort in some way at work?
How can you move through those feelings to reach greater compassion? To be of Service to others in need?
Consider this Buddhist story when you feel discouraged or beaten down by your work or stresses.
Suffering and Compassion
A woman whose son had died could not get over the pain and grief she felt. Days turned into weeks turned into months and still she suffered. Her grieving did not cease. Many in her village noticed her pain and suggested she seek council from a Buddhist monk known for his wise teachings.
At the arranged time the woman met the monk and shared her sorrow and her pain. The monk listened patiently. Finally the woman finished and asked, “What can I do to relieve my grief?”
The Buddhist monk smiled kindly and said, “There is a simple remedy for you. Go and find someone who has not experienced such pain and ask them for a small mustard seed. When you have gotten this mustard seed, bring it back to me.”
The woman felt some hope as she heard this news and she hurried off to put an end to her grief.
Find Someone Who Has Not Suffered
The woman went from door to door first in her village and then neighboring villages asking to speak to someone who has not suffered. She heard many stories of people who had lost a loved one, or who was dealing with a dire illness.
Not finding a home nearby, she went further, scouring the villages throughout the kingdom. Weeks turned into months as she walked across the land, knocking on door after door in search of a home where she could obtain the mustard seed.
Finally, after not finding such a home, she returned empty-handed to see the monk.
The monk asked her to retell the stories she heard in her travels. As she shared the stories, she wept for all the families who were touched by grief.
Then the monk asked her to talk about her own grief, of her loss. She looked up and said, “My grief is the same as theirs”. To which the monk replied, “So you see the first Noble Truth is that Life is Suffering. We can not escape it, we can only move through it. Tell me, do you have more compassion for those who weep, for those in pain?”
The woman thought of the many families she met and she felt her heart open to their pain. She nodded slowly and said, “Yes, I see how we all suffer. Is there any way I can help those who are in need?”
The monk smiled and replied, “Now you understand the point of the suffering.”
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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.
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Janae Bower of FindingIt is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and training consultant who helps others get to the heart of what matters most.
Linda Ferguson wrote the book "Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work" and has presented workshops around the country on aligning our gifts, passion and purpose.