The movement of discovery begins at the moment you consciously
become dissatisfied with life. Contrary to most professional
opinion , this gnawing dissatisfaction with life is not a sign
of "mental illness" , nor an indication of poor social
adjustments , nor a character disorder . For concealed with this
basic unhappiness with life and existence is the embryo of a
growing intelligence, a special intelligence usually buried under the
immense weight of social shams.
A person who is beginning to sense the suffering of life is ,
at the same time , beginning to awaken to deeper realities ,
truer realities.
For suffering smashes to pieces the complacency of our normal
fictions about reality , and forces us to become alive in a
special sense - to see carefully ,to feel deeply , to touch
ourselves and our worlds in ways we have heretofore avoided.
It has been said , and truly I think , that suffering is the
first grace.
In a special sense , suffering is almost a time of rejoicing ,
for it marks the birth of creative insight.
.............
Suffering, then , is the initial movement of the recognition of
false boundaries. Correctly understood , it is therefore liberating ,
for it points beyond boundaries altogether. We suffer , then , not because
we are sick , but because intelligent insight is emerging. The correct
understanding of suffering , however ,
is necessary in order that the birth of insight is not aborted.
We must correctly interpret suffering in order to enter into it,
live it , and finally live beyond it.
If we do not correctly understand suffering , we simply get stuck
in the middle of it - we wallow in it , not knowing what else
to do.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From No Boundary , Ken Wilber
