I appreciate the depth of your response, but I’m not entirely certain I understand.

Are you talking about being depressed or numb and you can’t feel yourself wanting anything? In that case when it passes, when you feel some spark of life and it includes a wish for things, I can understand the gratitude. But the space I was in was clinging and conflicted and it was that attachment that created my suffering.

To be able to wish and hope and look forward can be joyful. If one can stay content whether one’s desires are met or not seems to be the ground of a truly grateful life.

How’s that for you?

What confuses me is that while I agree with your definition of suffering, and I resonate with your experience of lacking the life energy that others take for granted, I’ve also had times of being unable to want. So while your wanting disturbed your serenity to some degree… isn’t it also a cause for gratitude, even if the want couldn’t be fulfilled in the way you most desired? I guess I’m not comfortable believing that the only choices were adversity as the path, or suffering in the name of desire, unless of course that was your preference.
Karilee´s last blog ..How To Get UNfollowed On Twitter

Dave’s post was great, wasn’t it? http://www.rockyourday.com/abandon-your-rescue-fantasy/ It was so generous of him to link to this post of mine.

I expect we’re always going to be walking that line between creating and trying to stay unattached to the outcome. Just as Dave said we need to let go of our rescue fantasies, this is yet another responsibility, isn’t it?

But it does result in more happiness, just as clinging brings more suffering.

“I aim to allow things to be as they are, while continually working to move forward.” Words of wisdom.

Because I’m an ambitious person, though, with lots of creative desires and goals, it’s a difficult line to walk! I see the power of letting go of attachments, and yet I want to create and achieve! In my own life, I aim to allow things to be as they are, while continually working to move forward.

Challenging, to say the least. And when life throws obstacles in the way, as it invariably does, even more challenging.

I like your idea that taking adversity as the path is far easier than creating suffering in the name of desire.

Thank you!
Melissa Dinwiddie´s last blog ..The Number One Problem Most Artists Have- Plus the Unveiling of My Debt Elimination Project

Thanks, too, for your kind wishes.

I am sorry for your hardship and hope that things get better for you.

Namaste
Amanda´s last blog ..I Think I’ll Dance

Mona ~ You are such an inspiration on the subject of taking good and kind care of oneself. I’m happy to see your vibrant healthy face and hope all your health challenges are behind you now.

Bess ~ When I share my experiences here, I’m not really looking for advice. But I appreciate your thoughts just the same. You mentioned “What would Buddhas or Bodhisattvas do?” That question is always paramount in my mind. Unfortunately in this case it was the principle reason for my complicated thought process as the proposed trip was to receive teachings from my heart’s Lama. (Had this been just a vacation, I simply would have cancelled and rescheduled.) A Buddha or Bodhisattva would make effort for the sake of Dharma without a moments thought to the needs of their body. So, do I emulate them or focus on the physical needs of my body and the repercussions if I travel?

I’m not asking you to answer that question for me. I’m simply pointing out that insights do not always lead to clear cut answers.

Hazel As always, your words warm my heart. Your compassion flows so effortlessly. With palms together _(|)_ I rejoice in your practices and their fruition. May all beings benefit.

I enjoyed your post very much. You’ve illustrated the sufferings many people place on themselves, intentionally or unintentionally. To this specific situation, it sounds like a struggle of interests and it seems you weren’t ecstatic with the outcome either.

To my understanding, the worries that trouble you may have to do with your attachment to conditions of the present and possible changes of the future, things that may or may not happen but haven’t yet. There are way too many ‘what ifs’ in life. How many can you possibly ponder and worry over? One can only be as well-prepared for the future as possible, but one must live in the present, and presently, one should be happy and limit suffering. The endless troubling thoughts that bother you creates stress and physical repercussions.

I don’t think it’s a matter of leaping into the unknown, but rather how prepared you are in dealing with situations and still be at peace with what comes your way. And in terms of releasing the attachments, I would suggest you see yourself in a second or even third person’s perspective. What would be the greatest compassionate action you would advise? What is truly a greater good and more beneficial? Or even ask, what would Buddhas and Boddhisattvas do? Maybe with this practice or ‘imitation’ of Buddhas and Boddhisattvas that we will soon be one and making decisions would be a breeze and worry-free.