Pain And Happiness

PAIN…

Pain is a touchstone for Spiritual Growth; this is a dialogue I heard in a TV Serial; this is a strange concept, but well founded in many other literary sources as well. In short, Pain has a capacity to unlock deep spiritual longings and growth in an individual, something no amount of material happiness can give or bring about. It has been said that the path to the development of a deep character, a strong constitution, a strong faith or belief, a sense of balance, and a deep understanding of the nature of humanity are all rooted in pain; these aspects emerge from the Ocean of Pain.

…AND HAPPINESS

Happiness, on the other hand, leaves little in your development from all of these. Such is the strong nature of the pull of material happiness that it overcomes and subdues all else. It gives a human a sense of superiority, of achievement, of knowledge, of pride, of lust, and much more; it fuels passions and blinds a person to the negatives of life. As the person has achieved happiness in a certain way, he or she is now loathe to try newer ways, test and accept alternative viewpoints, and consequently leads to an exaggerated belief in the self. This exuberance can tend to, if not tempered properly, lead to trouble. Such is the nature of Happiness: it teaches you almost nothing, and is by definition temporary.

THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO

All pain would make life hell; all happiness – unattainable in the human form – would also make life hell, as you would cease to enjoy it if you knew no other state. Also, that would also take away stimulus to change. Without Pain, humanity would never have progressed from cave dwelling Australopithecines or the Neanderthal stage of evolution! All progress we see around us is a result of pain. Pain is in the effort and hard work – that is also pain; it is in separation from family for career & duty; it is in emotional pain that leads to self-examination which unlocks growth; it is in uncontrollable losses like job loss due to superior technology or bad boss or whatever – which leads a person to upskill. All of these, and more – are representative of pain!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

#FoodForThought : Everyone in all fields from Psychology to Training focusses on alleviation of Pain; this has its own role no doubt. Yet, so long as the body exists, pain exists ... which is why we need to internalise the above; it is only Pain that drives real change stimulus, it is only pain that internalises learning; it is only Pain that enables true growth. Happiness is like Drinking - intoxicating. It blinds a person to alternatives & risks; fuels higher than sustainable risk taking, blinds judgement and perspective, and more., Pain, on the other hand, stimulates change and unlocks potential... and enables growth... especially in the spiritual realm...

For Business-  it means rise above intoxication in good times – be balanced, controlled, be in touch with market / technology / trends / employees etc; and at the first sign of pain, look inward, focus, find the factors, and learn, Dont witch hunt; dont cry; dont hide from it...For individuals, it means an understanding that the current pain you are going through is teaching you a lot, is building a strong you that will be able to grow later on. Life isn’t fair, a lot happens. If it is in your control – do your best to change it; if it isn’t in your control – don’t give up, be positive and keep trying.

THE HAPPY PERSON…

In ALL History, not one example exists of an elevated person who hasnt known pain. ALL the material minded people have vanished with time; all the people who lived “happily” went without causing even a ripple or leaving a legacy. These people aren’t remembered, aren’t known, and achieved nothing of note. Yes, they created value / money / possessions for self and family, but when they went, no one outside their families recalled them or their contributions for any length of time.  These people are those who never contributed to any change effort, or influenced any person at a deep level.

…VS THE ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED PAIN

Only people who saw pain, in its rawest emotional turmoil, made a name that echoes across centuries.... only people who have suffered pain have influenced unconnected others selflessly. Even if these people aren’t remembered across centuries – their soft nature, depth perception, internal strength and maturity ensures they are remembered fondly even outside their immediate families, remembered by people for whom they did nothing material – by people who never gained a dime from them.

CONCLUSION

Choice is yours. You are a human, and pain is as certain as death. And remember- it is not pain that is your enemy; your enemy, your biggest foes, and greatest challenge is Happiness. Happiness stands as the single most intoxicating narcotic known in the material world. It clouds perspective, drives exuberant risk taking, and distorts perspective and behaviour. Remember: Happiness is the CAUSE of pain; Happiness is what leads to and causes pain, not vice versa. Missteps in happy periods is one of the prime causes of pain! Pain, on the other hand, never causes happiness -  it leads to deep seated intermal change. Pain, when used properly, causes growth, learning, balance, equanimity and balance, not the heady intoxication of Happiness.