Like A Fading Rainbow

On a very basic level, we all seek happiness.  When life becomes difficult or painful, we feel that something has gone wrong.  But in life, difficulty is inevitable.  There are the realities of aging, illness, death, loss, not getting what we want, and of getting what we don't want.  Even if you were the most enlightened person on earth, you would experience sorrow at losing what you love.  If you got cut or burned, it would hurt.

But this is not really what causes misery in our lives. What causes misery is our always trying to avoid pain and seek happiness - this sense there could be lasting security and happiness if we could only do the right thing.  It is so basic in us to feel that things should go well for us, that if we start to feel depressed, lonely, or inadequate, we feel that there's been some kind of mistake or that we've been wronged in some way.  In reality, when you feel depressed, lonely, sad or any other unwanted feelings, this is an important moment when real transformation can take place.

- adapted from The Pocket Pema Chodron




"Like A Fading Rainbow" - Jenny Wilson      mp3 download

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The Pocket Pema Chodron (Shambhala Pocket Classics)

Hardships!