There is physical suffering and there is psychological suffering. When physical suffering takes place, if it is not too intense, one may be able to live with it happily, despite it being somewhat annoying. I am 73, with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis… so i know how stiffness and pain can manifest. Too many of us, however, are conditioned to run from pain at all costs. We overemphasize escaping from pain and we rely too heavily on drugs and such. The Universe has a set volume/amount of pain (tied to the requisite nature of reality). All pain is not just personal; it is shared by all… it is part of all. So being in pain is noble in a big way (since one is paying a price for us all), but many separative people don’t see it that way. Then too, physical pain can be a warning signal, indicating that something needs to be done to help the body function better.
There is also psychological pain and suffering. There’s the pain of loneliness, the pain of fear, the pain of depression, the pain of boredom. Interestingly, a mindful entity of holistic, orderly wisdom usually does not have much in the way of psychological suffering. Such a wise being perceives that, if fear is taking place, such fear is not something separate from what one is. One is the actual fear. If loneliness occurs, one is not something separate from that loneliness; the perceiver is the perceived. Looking with (and “as”) a fabricated distance and separation at loneliness or fear just makes the mind accept a division and conflict that isn’t genuine. That conflict doesn’t help with regard to inner stability and wholeness. True integrity does not fall for illusory separations and needless conflict.
In understanding disorder and suffering, we — in a big way — metamorphize beyond it.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
I like your emphasis on “understanding” suffering and disorder Tom.
I was once subject to a cold list of do’s and don’ts in response to my experiences of anxiety and depression. Being listened to and asked how it felt fared better, plus that friendship is still intact. 🙂
Thank you, Margaret. Yes, understanding suffering and disorder does help us to transcend beyond such things. The human mind is very complex and intricate and it takes a lot of passion to truly understand what is actually taking place. Looking without learned separation is beneficial.
Indeed brother Tom! #GoodWorks ❤️
Thanks, M.T! Take care! 😊
You’re very welcome brother Tom! 👍
I appreciate your insights on the nature of suffering and the distinction between physical and psychological pain. Your perspective on how we often run from pain resonates deeply with me. It’s true that embracing and understanding our suffering can lead to greater wisdom and wholeness. The idea that our experiences of fear and loneliness are not separate from us but rather a part of our existence is a powerful reminder. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful reflections.
On Thu, 2 Jan 2025 at 14:12, Tom’s Nature-up-close Photography and
Thank you, MMJB! We need to go beyond the idea that our experiences of fear and loneliness are not separate from us but rather are a part of our existence… because it is far more than an idea (or concept). We need to see and feel the fact and essence of it (way beyond conceptualization). Far too many people see things merely coceptually (as ideas) and then go on without having radically changed.
Beautifully said..
Thank you, Marlene! Stay wise and whole! 😉
I’m sorry that you are plagued by pain Tom. I have been blessed with good health, thus far anyway, but having been exposed to constant pain as endured by my long-suffering mother, I know her orthopedic pain, the result of being hit by a car at age 11 and 41 orthopedic operations, was very real and I have empathy for those who must endure it. She would not take anything stronger than prescription Tylenol toward the end, so to avoid those side effects she just dealt with it. That is a beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly Tom … I have a similar one I am using for my recap of favorite pics in a post later this week.
I take some really good natural supplements for my arthritis, Linda, so i am lucky that it is really not too bad, pain-wise. And i have a high threshold for pain, so it really doesn’t bother me too much… so far. I’m so very sorry that your mother had to go through such extensive pain. It must have been very tough for you to see. My deceased wife had immense physical health issues and immense pain, so i realize how a loved one’s pain can influence a person of real sensitivity.
Yes, Painted Ladies are a wonderful species of butterfly! There are fewer of them in our area each year… which is sad. But i still continue to see some, so there is hope!
Tom, here’s hope for a Happy New Year with less pain than necessary. Richard
Yes indeed! Thank you much, Richard. Hoping for health and happiness for you in the New Year! 😊
As usual fantastic post Tom “All pain is not just personal; it is shared by all…” it is part of all” it is so important to contextual our pain – and as we get older there is more physical pain – I am struggling with hip pain and poor eyesight but really work hard to be grateful for what I can do… psychological suffering is worse, I think. There are days like the one I am having now where I become fear and can feel it… and also know that nameless fear is so much bigger than me….
Hip pain is what i am familiar with, Sara. Had some last night while trying to sleep. It doesn’t originate in the hip but is a projection of pain from the lower spine. They want me to take cortisone shots for it but cortisone can possibly affect one’s vision… so i am postponing the shots for as long as i can.
All fear is a projection of thought (in and “as” time) and this fear is not big. It is just an extension from thought/thinking. Thoughts make it big… which is extending a fallacy.
NO CORTISONE IF YOU CAN MANAGE IT – YEAH FEAR IS THOUGHT MAKING THAT REFUSES TO STAY IN NOW – BUT SOMETIMES ENDURANCE IS ALL I CAN MANAGE – I AM SORRY THAT YOU HAVE HIP PAIN EVEN IF IT ISN’T – HAVE YOU EVER USED THOSE PAIN PATCHES THAT YOU PUT ON EXTERNALLY? YOU CAN GET THEM FROM THE DRUG STORE AND THEY HELP RELIEVE PAIN AT NIGHT.
Never tried the patches. I use natural supplements that help a lot. So far, the pain is something that can be tolerated without being too much of a problem. It’s very weather-dependant.
YEP – EVERY ACHE IS WEATHER DEPENDENT – LAST YEAR THOUGH, I FOUND THOSE PATCHES VERY HELPFUL AND WILL USE THEM AGAIN…. GLAD THE PAIN ISN’T THAT SEVERE.
Tom, May this year bring you joy, inspiration, and many opportunities to explore marvels. Cheers to a wonderful 2025!
Thank you, Michael! Hoping that your 2025 consists of peace, health, and compassion! 😊
Happy New Year 2025 Tom, peace and love!
Thank you, Marcela! Hoping that your 2025 consists of peace, health, and compassion! 😊
Beautifully said♥️
Thank you, Caleb! 😊