#178 There is no such thing as heavy or light suffering

I think that if you are living life, there are times when you will suffer.
Illness, work, relationships, money, romance—
Suffering and worries are scattered all around us in our daily lives.

In a way, people live to pursue some ideal or goal.
But at the same time, I think we also live to escape from suffering..

I, too, have lived my life carrying various kinds of suffering.
Of course, I always wish that suffering would just disappear.

However, I need to treat the suffering I carry with care as well.
Recently, I have been feeling that possibility.

Suffering from having your suffering compared

I am not good at talking to others about my own suffering.
The reason is that when I once poured out my suffering with all my might, I was told this.

"There are many people in the world who are suffering much more than you."

I was left speechless.
People suffering from a lack of food.
People suffering from disasters.
If you look around the world, there are many people who carry heavier suffering than I do.
Being told that, I thought:

"Ah, I am blessed, aren't I.
I shouldn't be suffering over something like this."

That is how I tried not to perceive the suffering within me as suffering.
But, of course, that doesn't make the suffering disappear.
Rather, I turned it into material for self-denial, thinking, "I am someone who is suffering over such light suffering."

Comparing suffering is meaningless

In the first place, is it necessary to compare suffering?
No, the trigger for me thinking it wasn't necessary was a certain book.

Recently, I read Kanako Nishi's novel "Yo ga Akeru" (The Dawn). It is a masterpiece that depicts the hardships and pain of living in Japanese society.
A conversation between the author and Kyoko Koizumi is included in the paperback edition.
I was struck by a part of it.

When I read this, I was convinced.
Comparing suffering is equivalent to not accepting that suffering.
It is the same as ignoring the suffering.
That is by no means a solution to escape from suffering.

There is no such thing as heavy or light suffering

If you are reading this and are suffering from something,
and on the other hand, if you have even slightly thought, "This isn't suffering compared to other people," I want to deny that with all my might.

There is no such thing as heavy or light when it comes to the suffering people carry.
You probably cannot make your own suffering disappear by comparing it to others.
Please, I want you to cherish your own suffering.

Having said that, if asked what the way to escape from suffering is, I cannot answer.
The only thing I can say is, do not compare yourself to others, and accept your suffering.
I think that is the entrance to a solution.