Do you believe that our minds contribute to a large extent to our suffering?
Hello everyone, it's time again for a discussion question. I am really curious to hear your thoughts on this - suffering!
Now, let's discuss everyday suffering, conditions or feelings brought on by circumstances that arise in everyone’s lives like not being able to get something we need, missing the bus etc., not very serious suffering like trauma.
Do you believe that our minds contribute to a large extent to our suffering?
Can you explain why or why not?
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Yes most therapists agree that our feelings are caused by our thoughts and I agree. This idea goes back long ago. It's a simple idea but logical.
@linda19152
I would agree as well. A reason to be very mindful with thoughts running through your mind.
@amiablePeace77
Yes, because our minds play an important role in the process and interpretation of our thoughts. Suffering, to some extent, is a train-thought kind of process.
In my opinion the word itself is so complex and (IN A WAY) it holds a different meaning to each of us (at least deep inside?). I think those daily misfortunes (if I can call them this way) spark some kind of deeper feelings and hence, the suffering.
Like.. when we make a mistake at work. It happens. It isn’t the end of the world. We all know it. YET at that moment most of us will quickly say to ourselves: “I’m such a loser, I can’t do anything right” and this is when the spiral way to suffering happens.
I think our experiences and life in general is what triggers our minds into this daily suffering.
I read somewhere that it can be seen as a choice too (I mean the way we choose to go on with the thoughts), but I wholeheartedly believe that these choices are based on a deeper background (most of the time related to trauma).
@Random28
Changing the thinking pattern which is based in trauma is not easy, but I believe it is possible even if healing the trauma itself might not be possible. However, with the right support we can learn to cope well and live a happy life again.
@amiablePeace77
No no, of course it isn’t. In my opinion, not only it’s difficult, but it’s also tricky somehow. One day you realise you’ve made tremendous healing steps and then suddenly you’re somehow standing like “did I actually change or was I fooling myself all along?”. 😅 Sometimes this is how I feel. Oh well though. I think too though that we learn to cope and live well. Slow and steady it gets better eventually.
@amiablePeace77
Yes, I too feel that mind could indeed be a reason of conflict and suffering. Only, if we don't know how really to handle it.
@Seeker8274
👍 Learning how to handle our mind - that's the key to a good life to me!
Definitely, perspective can shift a lot!
@Jaguar11
True! Good to see situations from different angles.
@amiablePeace77
Do you believe that our minds contribute to a large extent to our suffering?
I believe in 50/50 - 50% is internal/innate/ genes (biological), and 50% external.
Can you explain why or why not?
50% internal/innate/genes (biological) - There have been hundreds of studies that link different forms of 'suffering' to biological factors
50% external - Well, that list is long. However, if I were to focus on a key point, it would be:
Upbringing - family (or lack there of), family dynamics/beliefs, learned behaviours from infancy & having that 'embedded from early on, culture, shaming, ridicule, etc. Suffering can be/is a 'learned' behaviour.
@WalkingSoftly
Btw, thank you for posting a question that gives one 'pause' . :)
@WalkingSoftly
I too believe that suffering is a learned behavior to a great extent.
@amiablePeace77 Hello, I would say so. I believe our minds are deeply conditioned over time, which shapes patterns of behavior and perception. Much of our suffering stems from attachment especially to certain emotions and narratives we internalize. It's a natural part of lived experience, but awareness can shift our relationship with that suffering.
@introspectivelistener236
Attachments can play a big role in our suffering for sure!
@amiablePeace77
there a book called rewire it about how our mind from a very young age was affected by trauma and other things. this set stage for addiction and habits we do. so yes as our brain take in stuff most times in childhood. it wire the brain. so we need to rewire the brain to get more mentally healthy too. but it hard due to mind was programed starting at young age. this can make us suffer more due to how wired like anxiety is rooted in fear. most times this anxiety started as a child or teen.
so due to reading a few books on how mind is developed from things that put into it by people around you as a child. so it adds to suffering. some time even distorted thinking patterns come into play. also if put down as child even adult. most suffer due to they do same to self in mind repeating what they was told.
@stormieandpaws
Thank you for your explanation! Our childhood experiences build the foundation of our thinking in my view. Good thing is that mindfulness practices can help to change wrong constructs we have in our minds so we can live a peaceful life as adults.
@amiablePeace77
yes as we have new information on things that were wrongly taught or done. we can change mindset on beliefs about them things. this part of hard healing work. but when done right can bring peace and freedom too
@amiablePeace77
yes as we have new information on things that were wrongly taught or done. we can change mindset on beliefs about them things. this part of hard healing work. but when done right can bring peace and freedom too
@amiablePeace77
yes as we have new information on things that were wrongly taught or done. we can change mindset on beliefs about them things. this part of hard healing work. but when done right can bring peace and freedom too
@amiablePeace77
@amiablePeace77 I definitely agree they do, our mindset is shaped from a young age, by our upbringing, our family, our environment, who we surround ourselves with, and our experiences. If they are good and we are surrounded by safe, uplifting people, we learn the tools to see ourselves and our worth and to get through bad times. But when you are bullied, abused, abandoned or surrounded by negativity, emotional insults, that determined your worth inevitably and it doesn't allow for you to have the tools to deal with suffering because all you've done is struggled. But also the mind is a resilient thing and it's amazing how the people who have been through the most get through the most 🥰
@Amanda84
I agree, the more difficult experiences our minds go through the more resilient they become.
That is not a question which has a simple yes/no answer. It depends on the person, on how much misfortune intrudes into one's life, on many other factors.
@slowdecline48
Our experiences make a difference, I agree.