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buddha
September 2009 
Do you believe there is value in suffering?
Posted on Jan 12th, 2009
by 
Ferrari
Ferrari
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for January 11, 2009:
Absolutely. Jesus provided the definitive answer on that one. Everything He did had meaning and value, no exceptions.
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If nothing else, suffering is showing you what you don’t want. An example of that came up in a conversation I had about a week ago.
I have an African-American friend that enjoys talking about racism in America. I have the rosey idea that one day, not too long from now, we will all be one color and it will go away. He disagrees with part of that idea.
The point? I told him there are two types of suffering. He suffers from his experience knowing that racism exists and at times persists. I sufferin my experience knowing it doesn’t have to however as long as there are people that do participate, it will.Both types are different but both can be painful for the experiencer.
I believe there are many experiences like this. Awareness, non-awareness seems to be a battle that persists however, I believe we are close to waking up. Who’s with me?
I’m with you, in that I too experience suffering when watching others hold onto concepts and patterns that are negative and self-destructive. The way that transforms into something of value is that I hold such individuals in thought and prayer and ask for loving change for myself and those around me. I also offer forgiveness when I am wronged, and ask for it if I wrong others. The incredible value of Jesus’ tremendous suffering is that He (and Mother Mary) offered forgiveness for the entire planet. That moves me deeply and I strive to let their love and forgiveness flow through me.