Thoughts From A Mystic

. 'The eradication of suffering' is the central focus of Buddhism, yet outside the tradition 'suffering' is misunderstood to mean extreme physical, mental, or emotional pain. Since very few people are in extreme pain, they don't believe Buddhism has any value to them. In Buddhism the term 'suffering' implies any [person's] state that is not peaceful. For example, imagine you're out with friends after work at a tea or coffee shop. As you take a sip you feel/think it's not hot enough...or it's too hot...the flavor isn't right...it's too strong, or not strong enough...it needs sugar, or cream...or the cup is hot and hard to hold...or the weather is too cold...or you're recalling how your boss yelled at you during the day...thoughts about money problems...or your marriage...or someone just coughed in your face...or you've got an itch on your face...or back. You are 'suffering'. Consider how often during any day you a...

. I'm impressed by the similarities between how Socrates and Jesus lived and died: Even after he has been convicted by the jury, Socrates declines to abandon his pursuit of the truth in all matters. Refusing to accept exile from Athens or a commitment to silence as his penalty, he maintains that public discussion of the great issues of life and virtue is a necessary part of any valuable human life. "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Apology 38a) Socrates would rather die than give up philosophy, and the jury seems happy to grant him that wish Jesus lived and taught 'the kingdom of God'. Jesus' life and teachings show what life is like with God as ruler. Any other way of living is described as 'death'. His example, through teaching and life[style], were the reason the Pharisees wanted, and got Jesus' execution. Jesus may have been able to escape and continue teaching in another 'land', but he describes his 'mission' as th...