We usually identify completely with our suffering and become one with it. Yet, even when they torment us the most, we are not our suffering in the same way that we are not the sickness when afflicted by some ailment.

To achieve fulfillment in this life, it is most important to understand that suffering is an illness that affects us all to various degrees. Yet, something at the core of our mind remains unaltered. We must therefore develop an awareness of what aspect of experience is affected by suffering and which aspect of our mind remains unaffected by it.

What burdens us is a succession of sensations and thoughts that leads to isolate one aspect of reality that is then allowed to become our sole preoccupation, thus giving it undue importance. To cast off this burden, we must better understand what remains untouched by suffering within us.

Beyond the sensation of pain, there exists a simple, peaceful and alert presence at the core of our experience. This presence is not a mysterious entity. Rather it is the most fundamental quality of our awareness, which allows us to experience the world and ourselves. If we choose to turn towards it and dwell within it, this open presence will act as a balm on our torments, allowing us to regain inner peace.

When confronted by powerful emotions and sensations, our mind often finds itself robbed of free will. A thorough investigation of the mechanisms of happiness and suffering and a better understanding of the workings of our mind, combined with a methodical training of this mind can we gradually help us towards freedom.

Events and the behavior of others remain largely beyond our control. We can however always influence the way we experience them. By overcoming our self-centered experience of suffering, a multitude of constructive projects can be undertaken in life, such as putting ourselves at the service of others.

In December 2006, Florida governor Jeb Bush temporarily stayed executions because it took twenty minutes for a death row inmate to succumb to a lethal injection that was supposed to kill him in four. He stated that he had acted out of humanity.

I see no humanity in taking four minutes to kill someone instead of twenty. We cannot pretend to uphold justice when we kill someone.
Ghandi said: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

Punishing death with death is an act of vengeance. It is not necessary to kill someone to prevent them from causing further harm. Imprisonment is sufficient. The State simply claims for itself the right to take life as payment.
A few years ago, I heard an Oklahoma bombing victim’s father on the BBC. He said: «I don’t need one more death». By putting a killer to death, we do not make justice triumph nor do we show respect for the victims and their families. We are only adding to the body count. In depth psychological studies have shown that parents’ grief and mourning found deeper and longer lasting appeasement in forgiveness than in the satisfaction of attending a criminal’s execution.

Comparative studies conducted in states that apply the death penalty and those who have renounced it systematically demonstrate the absence of any true deterrent effect of capital punishment on crime rates
The death penalty is nothing more than the talion law draped in Justice’s robes. As Arianna Ballotta, President of the Italian Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said : “As a society, we cannot kill to show that killing is wrong.”

According to Amnesty International, the five countries with the highest number of executions in 2008 were China (at least 1,718, probably many more), Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United States of America. These five countries are responsible for 93% of all executions carried out in 2008. They provide the greatest challenge to completely abolishing the death penalty.

When hearing a door creak, the optimist thinks it’s opening and the pessimist thinks it’s closing.

For an optimist, it makes no sense to lose hope. We can always do better, limit the damage, find an alternative solution, rebuild what has been destroyed, take the current situation as a starting point, and use every present moment to advance, appreciate, act, and cultivate inner peace. The optimist does not give up quickly. Strengthened by the hope of success, he perseveres and succeeds more often than the pessimist, especially in adverse conditions. The pessimist has a tendency to back away from difficulties, sink into resignation or turn to temporary distractions that will not solve her problems. The pessimist sees a threat in every new thing and anticipates catastrophe.

Psychologists have long believed that mildly depressive people are “realistic” in their outlook. The pessimist would tend to go around with his eyes wide open and to assess situations more lucidly than the optimist, whereas the optimist would be an incurably naïve dreamer. It so happens that this is not true. Further studies have shown that the pessimist’s objective, detached and wary judgment is inadequate. When it’s a question not of taking a some tests in the lab, but of real situations drawn from daily life, the optimist’s approach is in fact more realistic and pragmatic than that of the pessimist.

Many studies show that optimists do better on exams, in their chosen profession and in their relationships, live longer and in better health, enjoy a better chance of surviving post-operative shock, and are less prone to depression and suicide. Psychologists describe pessimism as an “explanatory style” for the world that engenders “acquired powerlessness.”

If pessimism and suffering were as immutable as our fingerprints, it would be more sensitive to avoid trumpeting the benefits of happiness and optimism. But if optimism is a way of looking at life and happiness a condition that can be cultivated, one might as well get down to work without further griping or dithering.

As the French philosopher Alain has written: “How marvelous human society would be if everyone added his own wood to the fire instead of crying over the ashes!”
(to be continued)

When hearing a door creak, the optimist thinks it’s opening and the pessimist thinks it’s closing.

For an optimist, it makes no sense to lose hope. We can always do better, limit the damage, find an alternative solution, rebuild what has been destroyed, take the current situation as a starting point, and use every present moment to advance, appreciate, act, and cultivate inner peace. The optimist does not give up quickly. Strengthened by the hope of success, he perseveres and succeeds more often than the pessimist, especially in adverse conditions. The pessimist has a tendency to back away from difficulties, sink into resignation or turn to temporary distractions that will not solve her problems. The pessimist sees a threat in every new thing and anticipates catastrophe.

Psychologists have long believed that mildly depressive people are “realistic” in their outlook. The pessimist would tend to go around with his eyes wide open and to assess situations more lucidly than the optimist, whereas the optimist would be an incurably naïve dreamer. It so happens that this is not true. Further studies have shown that the pessimist’s objective, detached and wary judgment is inadequate. When it’s a question not of taking a some tests in the lab, but of real situations drawn from daily life, the optimist’s approach is in fact more realistic and pragmatic than that of the pessimist.

Many studies show that optimists do better on exams, in their chosen profession and in their relationships, live longer and in better health, enjoy a better chance of surviving post-operative shock, and are less prone to depression and suicide. Psychologists describe pessimism as an “explanatory style” for the world that engenders “acquired powerlessness.”

If pessimism and suffering were as immutable as our fingerprints, it would be more sensitive to avoid trumpeting the benefits of happiness and optimism. But if optimism is a way of looking at life and happiness a condition that can be cultivated, one might as well get down to work without further griping or dithering.

As the French philosopher Alain has written: “How marvelous human society would be if everyone added his own wood to the fire instead of crying over the ashes!”
(to be continued)