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Buddhists view suffering (dukkha) as a fundamental aspect of human existence, but not as an insurmountable obstacle. 
They believe suffering arises from attachment to desires and the impermanence of all things.  Zen with its emphasis on
awareness and living the present moment offers a unique approach to healing that goes beyond physical remedies. 

It helps individuals cultivate inner peace, reduce suffering, and develop a deeper connection to themselves and the world

around them.  As author Ben Okri writes,

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            The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform,
            to love and to be greater than our suffering.

 

Suffering weaves itself through the fabric of our existence, manifesting simultaneously in the mind as turmoil, in the body

as tension or illness, and in the spirit as a sense of disconnection or loss of meaning.  There are several contributing reasons

that cause us to suffer.  They include:

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   1. Clinging to Impermanence

        Wanting things to last forever when everything is transient.  An example of this can be changes to a community

        or neighborhood where you grew up in.  There is a natural desire to keep things as they were.
 

   2. Personal Identity (or a fixed self)

        By so fully identifying with one's profession, family role or mission – this can sometimes lead to disappointment

        when things change or don't go your way.  It's hard for a medical Doctor or University Professor to let go when
        entering this new space called retirement.

 

   3. Judgemental Thinking

        When we are quick to judge the behavior of others in terms of good or bad.  We are quick to judge others because

        of someone's religion, politics or lifestyle. Or we judge them because they are not behaving or performing the way

        we want them to.

 

   4. Resistance to What Is

        By that, we mean, the reluctance a person might have to a changing set of circumstances in one's personal or work
        environment.  A newly introduced software system into an organization might make some workers feel unready or
        uncomfortable with the impending change.  Sometimes, it is a fear of the unknown.
 

   5. Chronic Illness or Grief

        ​​Anyone with a diagnosis or terminal diagnosis of a disease knows the constancy of suffering.  So too is the person who

        who has lost a husband, wife or child.

  6. Spiritual (or emotional) misalignment

        This can be caused by a number of things that can include spending time with friends, family or acquaintances or
        being placed in situations that feel unnatural to who you are.  The same can be said for being in a job that you don't
        like that sometimes requires you to go against your core values.
 

The Benefits of Healing and Overcoming Stress

Stress is the body's reaction to any demand, whether physical, mental, or emotional, that requires an adjustment or response.  Stress is a normal part of life and can even be motivating when it comes to being creative, hitting deadlines and trying out

new things.  Suffering is a more encompassing term that refers to the experience of pain, distress, or hardship.  As noted

earlier suffering is not just physical pain itself, but a deeper sense of dissatisfaction with yourself, the people around you as well

as changing circumstances. It can be caught up in past memories or worries about the future.  Zen teaches us to let go of  assumptions and to live the present moment.  As author Eckhart Tolle writes,

 

            The whole essence of Zen consists in walking along the razor's edge of Now - to be so utterly, so completely

            present that no problem, no suffering ...  can survive in you.  (p. 52).

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So why is it important to decrease stress and suffering?  Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol, which can interfere with the body's ability to heal.  Relaxation can help the body produce more healing chemicals, like cytokines, which are involved
in inflammation and wound healing.  A calm state can lead to better sleep, reduced pain, and improved mood, all of which can positively impact the healing process.  Studies have shown that individuals who are able to manage stress and remain calm tend to recover from injuries or surgeries faster.

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Reimagining the Word "Healing"
Healing is not the same as a cure, or even living without pain.  Healing is being deeply connected and understanding of yourself
in a non-judgmental way.  Healing can often be paradoxical.  As an example, I might experience chronic pain but my everyday family life is fulfilling.  Similarly, when learning a new skill, our performance does not need to be at 100% in order for us to be
a well-balanced human being.  When judging ourselves, we often expect perfection.  If our performance is 70%, it is sometimes easy to focus on the 30% that is not working  How many thousand examples are there of trying something new, stumbling on
the outcome and assuming we have “failed”.  In trying something new like starting your own business or learning to play golf
it's easy (and quite likely) that you will fail in the beginning stages.  The old adage is so true, the only failure is not trying.  If you have found peace, nonjudgement, living in the now and understanding the part you play in this magnificent performance
called life – you have found the true meaning of what it means to be healed.

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