Such a thoughtful exposition on how our reaction to problems reflects our spiritual well-being. I do try to look as problems as opportunities to grow, to experience serendipity, to learn, but often the first reaction is shock, anger, denial, etc. I appreciate the encouragement to approach it with curiosity, joy, equanimity and understanding. Onward!
I often wonder that people say "Why is this happening to ME?" Initial shock is normal, anger, grief, disorientation, all of that while we regroup and get used to the new condition (temporary or not). But "why is this happening to ME"?' has a basic misunderstanding at the heart of it.. We are all a ME. Everyone is a ME. Why not me? Why have I been spared and allowed to have less suffering than some others? It is truly hard to imagine what another suffers, experiences. Empathy can and does develop over time, more for some than others. One's own suffering is simply a kind of entry into membership in the human family. It will come sooner or later, in smaller or larger doses. One is never prepared. It is never welcome or desired. But it is just the next bend in the river. We can imagine that the overview of our life seen from above, is that there are many options for possible bends in the river, some are avoided, some are taken. Many possible exit ramps too. Sometimes when something "bad" or "harmful" happens to me - especially physical like an accident or a fall - I think, wow, I may have just avoided something worse, by grace. Perhaps I was granted a lessening of a possible exit ramp into a mere bend in the river.
i’ve been thinking about something you said, that spiritual people can get confused because the soul has endless time up there and down here we don’t. Maybe it’s the same with problems - we choose to come here BECAUSE it’s not all planned out, the universe is at play and we all have free will so problems arise so it’s quite a ride! but we forget and we think it’s all supposed to be perfect because that’s how it is in the afterlife… and that everything that happens has a purpose - like someone’s pulling the puppet strings and it’s all perfectly designed. and we’re just confusing this crazy world with the afterlife. in fact, aligning with our highest potentials is a choice that’s always available for us, no matter what the weird conditions. Something you illustrate beautifully George!
