Dukha: Navigating Suffering

Dukham is the Sanskrit term used for suffering. As humans we are most likely caught in a spin cycle of suffering, this cycle is called Samsara. How interesting to note that what plagues you today has probably plagued you last year and last decade and perhaps even last lifetime. It nonchalantly shows up like it’s the latest release in the same amazon series you have been watching for way too long, when really, it’s just a cosmic re-run, that will keep playing until you decide to turn it off.

Turning something off or at least changing the channel requires a commitment to reflection. This reflection is absolutely not an invitation to join guilt, shame, and condemnation’s perpetual all-nighters. Nor is it an invitation to spend more time in the depths of the dark rather than in the laughter of the light. This reflection is a commitment to your future self living in more presence, and more peace, and more love, than you have in the past.

When I reflect in genuine reverence to my goodness, I am presented with the opportunity to understand that I am addicted to the re-runs and to not be fooled by different actors and a new set. Only when I look into the camera as the Director, producer, and editor, I gift myself the present moment super power to write my reality, right now. The reflection is the pause. It is the pause to consciously zoom out of your daily face-plant perspective and it is also the pause that begins to show up as a portal in your present moment. It is the honest voice that says, Andrea, you are being passive aggressive and manipulative. It is the pause that allows me to hear this truth without immediately dismissing it or feeling shame because of it. It is the chance to change my response in that very moment.

Time spent in reflection sows the soil for my present moment awareness to blossom which is the conscious creation of my reality. Not only does this change my today, it changes my tomorrow and the infinite possibilities that are awaiting me there, it also dislodges the samsaric cycle that is the very source of my past, current, and if I allow it, my future suffering.

How do you suffer? What is bothering you? What is your current complaint with this moment? The answers to these questions are to be traversed as reflections, not to get lost in the hurt and the pain, but to empower you to turn off the re-runs, stop watching the same bullshit story, and write the story of your life, right meow.

Hola beautiful Human,

So excited about blasting off this platform of dukha to navigate our way through suffering by understanding the five Kleshas. The kleshas are incredibly powerful if you choose them to be. The next few weeks we will undress these potent understandings about the nature of our suffering and also be gifted tools to ultimately create less and less suffering for our future selves. Here’s to more joy!

Blessings,

Andrea Dawn