Showing results for "Suffering" in Philosophy

This long-awaited second book by renowned spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle goes deeper into the teachings so eloquently and clearly expressed in his first book, The Power of Now.

For centuries Christians have been tormented by one question above all, "If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?"

Sooner or later, we all confront situations with no easy way out. For human beings, sickness, old age, and death, either our own or someone else's, seem like insurmountable barriers. We all struggle to avoid these things, and the media encourages our pursuit, offering plastic surgery, exercise routines, and all manner of pills to achieve eternal youth. But sooner or later, we need to realize that old age and suffering are not going to magically dissolve.

Suffering, in one form or another, is present in all of our lives. But why do we suffer? On one reading, this is a question about the causes of physical and emotional suffering. On another, it is a question about whether suffering has a point or purpose or value. In this groundbreaking book, Michael Brady argues that suffering is vital for the development of virtue, and hence for us to live happy or flourishing lives.

This course is recommended for anyone who has reflected on God and suffering. Explore the approaches to suffering found in the Bible with gifted presenter Fr. Robin Ryan, CP, PhD. You will examine the classical Christian perspectives on God found in the writings of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and then explore the insights of significant Jewish and Christian thinkers who have reflected on God and suffering in modern times.

Welcome to the new podcast from the Center for Reducing Suffering. Our mission is to reduce severe suffering, taking all sentient beings into account. We develop ethical views that give priority to suffering, and research how to best reduce suffering. Our top priority is to avoid worst-case futures. We are working on a new podcast, and in the meantime we're delighted to share the full audiobook of Avoiding the Worst: How to Prevent a Moral Catastrophe by Tobias Baumann. Subscribe now so you don't miss our new episodes when they are ready.

When we think about whether we are good people leading a good life, we usually think about actions. Bad people do bad things that hurt others. Good people do good things that help others, and they avoid doing bad things. Simple. But while our actions certainly have consequences, today our inactions have far greater and far graver consequences. Bad actions can result in the suffering of a few or several dozen others; inaction can result in the extreme misery of thousands.

The 21st century is a critical time for our environment. Global warming, pollution, deforestation: the problems are large, and it's easy to feel helpless. Yet it's important not to get lost in despair; we can be serious about environmental problems and still be joyful. This ability is crucial not only for dealing with the environment, but also with spiritual practice.

Real-World training to go from victim to adventurer.

Pema Chödrön and Alice Walker in Conversation reveals the revolutionary power of tonglen through a dialogue between two hearts and minds forged in very different cultures - and yet deeply joined in the simple practice of compassion.Take a front-row seat as the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker and American-born Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön reflect on anger, joy, fear, and the union of spirituality and social activism.

Distance and separation harden the heart, making suffering inevitable. Names, labels, hatred, criticism, everywhere we look, we see how separation breeds pain and suffering. But when that distance is closed, something very profound takes place.

When we think of spiritual powers, we usually imagine walking on water or performing some kind of miracle. However, Roshi points out that true mystical power resides within the simple actions of our everyday lives, whether we are cooking a meal, washing the dishes, or driving a car. These activities seem ordinary, but they have an extraordinary aspect as well.