Page 17 - NAMAH-Jul-2024

Namah The Role of Pain and Suffering in our Growth

On the path of yoga, we learn to recognise the pain we experience.
this potential-seeking manifestation. The
a
‘Divine conspiracy’ works for our ultimate Pain, in Sanskrit, is referred to as Vedana, which
good, even if it means discomfort and literally means, “the absence of Veda. Here,
disruption. Shifting our perspective beyond Veda doesn’t refer to the ancient scriptures, but
‘me’ allows us to see these challenges as to the ‘secret knowledge of the heart’, the
opportunities for growth — a push out of truth of our being — the spark of Sachidananda
our comfort-zone. (blissful existence) residing within. This spark
seeks manifestation, fuelling the fire within us,
This is especially true for those compressing the fire that seeks beauty, delight, harmony,
multiple lifetimes into a single one. The freedom, and ultimately, immortality, which
accelerated growth requires shedding aligns with our true nature.
outdated patterns and moving from one
level of being to the next. Comfort-zones, The more we open to this inner fire, the stronger
once established, ossify and thus need to be the impulse to evolve becomes. This translates
broken. If we resist this internal nudge, greater into a greater capacity to leave our comfort-
forces may intervene, ruthlessly exposing and zones, shed old habits, and embrace new
dismantling anything hindering our full possibilities. However, various parts of our
potential. self might revolt against this change.

Pain and suffering, then, become indicators Internally, a revolt may manifest as emotional
of a needed shift towards a greater harmony. turmoil, physical discomfort or even illness.
They point to something within us that has These are signs of internal resistance,
become rigid and needs to be released. different parts of our being clinging to the
Whether it’s a thought-pattern, an emotional familiar. Here, patience is the key. We need
habit, or a physical limitation, we must to acknowledge these parts, hold space for
identify and loosen our grip on these fossilised them to express their fears and trust the
aspects. Only then can we truly move beyond process.
the pain and step onto the ‘sunlit path’ of
fulfilment. Imagine yourself as a theatre witnessing the
drama unfolding within — the Navarasas (nine
The Fire Within: fuelling progress emotions) playing out as different aspects
of your being grapple with change. This
The key to embracing discomfort and stepping inner drama mirrors the external drama we
out of our comfort-zone lies in connecting face when societal change-makers challenge
with the Agni within — the Sanskrit word for the status-quo. Even if faced with criticism,
fire, signifying the innate divine will and isolation, or opposition, the change-maker,
aspiration to progress. This fire, like the driven by this inner fire, understands that
potential in a seed, compels us to sprout, the pain is temporary, a necessary step
grow, and evolve. Without connecting with towards a greater good. Those clinging to
this impulse, we remain lost in confusion, the old order simply lack vision. They act
unable to understand the purpose behind out of a need to protect their comfort-zone,

17