Long ago, the Buddha taught that we create
the world with our thoughts; and the more attached we are to
things being a certain way, the more we suffer. Nowhere is
this clearer than with chronic illness and pain: Our
self-blame, anguish, depression, fear, loneliness, anger and
embarrassment are the byproducts of denying the reality of
illness or pain. If we are courageous enough to set aside
our beliefs, hopes, and longings for a former or mythical
ideal of health, which pull us out of the present moment, we
free ourselves from the hell realm of suffering. Mindfully
observing what is right here-and-now enables true healing to
take place--healing that moves us beyond our naive ideas of
health and illness. After all, we are not brains on a
stick. Mind and body are united by spirit and it is
spiritual understanding that leads us to the well where
wisdom, love and compassion abide--qualities vital to the
recovery of wholeness and well-being. SUFFERING BUDDHA
points the way to inner healing; it is not a how-to manual
or glib prescription for spiritual transcendence, precisely
because such are not necessary. In our own wise, awakened
hearts lies the key to wellness and ease.