This suffering BS is real.
“Life is difficult, the Buddha said, for everyone. Suffering, he taught, is the demand that experience be different from what it is. Of course we do what we can to address pain. Sometimes illnesses are cured. Sometimes relationships are mended. Sometimes losses are recouped. Sometimes, though, nothing can be done. The Buddha’s teaching of liberation was that peace of mind is possible, no matter what the circumstances.” – Sylvia Boorstein
The quote is from the article “The Suffering we Share” by Sylvia Boorstein published in Shambhala Sun in Sept. 2009.
No matter WHAT the circumstances??
My beautiful niece and Goddaughter Alicia died of Ependymoma Brain Cancer two weeks ago at the age of 4 years 8 months. She suffered tremendously, unacceptably and unjustly. Alicia and her struggles have inspired me daily over the last four years. I will treasure her spirit, considerate nature, personality, intelligence, humor and strength of will.
My family and I are grateful for all the support, generosity and kindness extended over the years and most recently. In gratitude, a fund was created in Alicia’s name to give back to MGH Hospital for Children and other pediatric cancer related organizations that helped Alicia and my sister’s family through the last 4 years. For more information see the Facebook page.
To donate to the Alicia M Barrett Memorial Fund online click here or below:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GJFVQSHMR68L2
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu
Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu*
Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niraamayaah
Sarve bhadraani pashyantu
Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet*
Meaning:
Auspiciousness (swasti) be unto all;
Peace (shanti) be unto all;
Fullness (poornam) be unto all;
Prosperity (mangalam) be unto all.*
May all be happy! (sukhinah)
May all be free from disabilities! (niraamayaah)
May all look (pashyantu) to the good of others!
May none suffer from sorrow! (duhkha)*
May none suffer from Cancer!
Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino bhavantu’**
Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi
Meaning:
May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
Peace, Peace Peace
from “Sarvesham” by Jack Harrison
These Sanskrit lyrics or Mantra is part of Hindu (Vedic) Universal Peace Mantra.
* Text and translation from Sri Swami Shivananda (The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh)
** Sanskrit, not of the Vedic Sakha (branch)