I've been thinking a lot about pain lately - both because that's a big part of the work I'm doing now, looking at outcomes for pain management, and in thinking about my own responses to pain. This discussion of pain and suffering is very interesting and insightful to me.

The purpose of the site is a review of cults to warn "good" Christians of the hazards of other religions - sadly, the information about Buddhism is highly skewed at best, and downright false at worst. One of the things I'm stiving to do, though, is listen when someone has very different views from mine to find something of the motivation for their views.

One of the things we teach our nurses and try to teach others in the healthcare field is to first, believe the patient as they report their pain - regardless of what the healthcare staff's opinion is about how much pain the patient should or should not be having. Second, is to set goals with the patient and to respect their decisions - to help them meet their goals without our judgements. While it seems counter intuitive that some people believe that they should have some level of pain in their lives, this is often the case.

We live in a society that is very conflicted about pain. Madison Avenue has convinced us that any twinge of pain should be elliminated - immediately! Take this pill or remedy, and you'll be happy again.

On the other hand, we are afraid of pain meds, and have a strong feeling that enduring pain builds character. We praise athletes for "playing hurt", for pushing themselves. We judge whether or not a person should be in pain or not, and we frown on open displays of anguish from pain. Pain should be suffered, and suffered in silence.

The site I found here may not be the view of all Christians, but it's interesting that the main point seems to be saying that pain is here to purify us to be ready for heaven. That we should endure our Earthly pain joyfully, since that is what will prepare us, perhaps even allow us to deserve heaven.

The Buddha's teachings don't mention heaven or hell, God/god(s)/goddess(es), mystical realms*, etc. for a reason. Speculating on what comes next doesn't help us on our path to awakening. Finding a way to understand, first ourselves, then our world, and finally awakening to truth creates a feeling of deeply rooted peace, love, and compassion. All while we are here on the planet - walking, working, playing, loving, helping others, and appreciating the profound beauty of life.

For me, the Buddha's teachings just make sense.

*mystical realms are part of some schools of Buddhism, but thier roots are in the culture of the society that embraced Buddhism. The Buddha himself did not teach about such things.