Cycles of Joy and Pain

Last night a question was asked about the challenges faces by a person going through the cycles of pain and joy. Often when in the through of pain, the sweet experience of joy is forgotten as though it did not have a true existence in this seeming world of pain. This occurs not when one simply has pain. But they identify with that pain. The ideation is, Life is a path of pain and I am that pain. With that frame of mind it is no wonder that some seek drastic measures to end that pain. It is in the extremity of pain and the search to alleviate it that brings many to the spiritual path. The spiritual path is not for sissies, it takes a brace boy and a brave girl to embark on the path and to stay with it in the ups and downs of every day life.

What is it you want, the cessation of pain or the bliss of a fulfilled life? If it is only the cessation of pain then ones life and personality takes the shape of the avoidance of pain. This is a path that is shaped by fear. If I do that I will get hurt so I should avoid that and do this. So ones life gets limited, particularly in the interactions with others.

Now if one follows her or his joy another process occurs. Ones life will take the shape of the joy. As you think so you become. Take to joy and you will also eliminate the pain not by avoidance, but because you will leave behind all that does not serve you.

Pain is caused by avoiding the signals given to you by your body, mind, and spirit. It is the price of staying fully committed to not knowing, not really knowing. If you want a life of joy you must follow that joy. It is that simple.

Marc Nevas
Intuitively Received