Life As It Is

Man lives a miserable life.

 

He suffers

In most moments

Of the day.

 

The moments

He is not suffering

Are moments that the suffering is not so extreme

To come to his attention.

 

He is suffering

When in pain.

He is suffering

When trying to get out of pain.

 

He is suffering

When he has no pleasure.

He is suffering

When pursuing pleasure.

 

A sharp comment,

An awkward glance,

A text message not reciprocated,

A traffic light turning red too soon . . .

 

Boredom.

Discontent.

Anxiety.

Fear.

Anticipation.

Sorrow . . .

 

Everything

Upon everything

Causes a man to suffer.

 

How many do’s and don’ts

Can he follow.

 

How many deep breaths

Can he take.

 

How many meditations

Can he complete.

 

How many stress-relief activities

Can he pursue.

 

If practice,

And activities,

And austerities,

And spiritual and self-help practices

Are his way,

Then he needs to be doing them 14-20 hours a day.

Because he is suffering

14-20 hours a day.

 

Shallow,

Empty,

Cosmetic pick-me-ups

Are no match

For the Real and Visceral Suffering

That a human lives within.

 

In fact,

They are an insult.

 

They are an exercise

In denial.

 

They are a diminishment

Of the gravity

Of his life experience.

 

Go meditate,

You will be fine.

 

Go repeat some religious phrases,

You will be fine.

 

Go recite some affirmations,

You will be fine.

 

Society

And it experts

Treat humans

Like stray dogs.

 

A slap on the back,

A motivational phrase,

A forced smile,

And a deep breath . . .

And don’t worry,

All will be fine.

 

Society,

Its experts,

And self-help-ists and spiritualists

Have a criminal effect

Upon the human being.

 

Human suffering

Is Real.

 

It does not go away

By spiritual phrases.

 

It is not burned away

By incense.

 

Wake up,

And begin suffering.

 

This is a human’s life.

 

It does not matter

If he recognizes this or not.

 

It does not matter

If he looks at it or not.

 

That is up to him.

 

Self-help

And spirituality

Is a theoretical.

 

Suffering

Is visceral,

And immediate,

And real.

 

Life is suffering.

It is the most immediate concern

Of a human being.

 

It is his most acute order of duty.

For himself.

 

He may chase pleasure

All he likes.

 

He may practice austerities

All he likes.

 

He may do laugh therapy

Until his lungs burst through his chest.

 

He may read as many self-help and spiritual

And intellectual and motivational

Books . . .

As he likes.

 

In fact,

He already has.

 

Yet his suffering

Continues . . .

 

 

Namaste.