When we are in the middle of suffering, sometimes it may seem like there is nothing beyond it; we are stuck in the nowness of the suffering. The idea of being ‘stuck’ is what gets us into hopelessness, which only prolongs, and even exacerbates our suffering. When we can let go of the idea of being stuck, we are freed up to remember that this current condition is likely only temporary. Remembering the transient nature of suffering does not take away the suffering in that moment (well, sometimes it does, but for the purpose of this post, let’s say it doesn’t), but it does change the perspective from which we experience it; it moves from feeling out of control, back to being in control of how we respond: from reacting with rapid chest-breathing, angry thoughts, etc to RESPONDING to the pain with gentle diagphramatic breathing and soothing thoughts; back to a place of remembering that “This too shall pass.”

What is beyond suffering? The passage of time; and even that is just an idea, a thought. When we stay present in the now, even suffering can bring us back to a state of acceptance and balance; even if our ego doesn’t like what we are accepting.