Radhanath Swami on Pain and Suffering

98 Pain and suffering
A few years ago one of my dear friends His Holiness Sridhar Swami Maharaj departed from this world. He had a very, very difficult disease, and physically he suffered for many years. But do you know his name amongst those who knew him closely?—the Jolly Swami. He was always laughing. He was always making everyone happy. This is positive attitude.
He told me on many occasions, “Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional.” It is our free choice, whether we want to suffer or not, though the experience of pain may not be a choice. Even though physically the pain might be hurting, we can find deep fulfillment in the gratitude of having been purified, or we can simply suffer. Everything is a matter of choice—what our mood is and how we are going to interpret a particular situation.
By Radhanath Swami

By RNS Articles

Find him on Google+

80 comments

  1. Very true, We should be always grateful to the Lord for giving such an amazing priceless gift that is Free Will.

  2. Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional – very simple lines but very powerful and inspiring!

  4. HOW NICELY EXPLAINED. IT IS OUR CHOICE HOW WE REACT IN PAIN.

    H.H.RADHANATH SWAMI MAHARAJ KI JAI

  5. We are really grateful to you for Inspiring us how to handle negativity, and pain with a positive attitude.
    .

  9. This memory shared by Radhanath Swami is very nice — in fact even I was told the very same words by HH SHridhar Swami — pain is inevitable but sufferiing is an option.

  12. This is a very profound statement which can change one’s life for ever and give permanent happiness.

  14. “Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional”. What an inspiring quote. We have think about this deeply so that we could change our view about this material life.

  18. Thank you so much for sharing. We can reflect deeply on it. SHould help us in troubled times.

  20. Liked this statement from HH Radhanath swami very much..
    Everything is a matter of choice—what our mood is and how we are going to interpret a particular situation.

  21. Very beautiful article.The quote, ‘Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional’ is very informative.

  22. Mood is more important than the situation. In any situation if one’s mood is to please Krishna, he becomes transcendental to that situation. All glories to Radhanath Swami.

  23. Radhanath Swami and Sridhar swami have given practical solution to face difficult situation in this world. Thank you for sharing

  26. This article has really opened my eyes about the concept of pain and suffering. We have the choice in our hands and how we perceive the situation is the key.

  29. sridhar swami and radhanath swami, both lives are proof that suffering is optional if there is Krisnaconcious attitude.

  33. Very deep statement from Radhanath Swami
    “Even though physically the pain might be hurting, we can find deep fulfillment in the gratitude of having been purified, or we can simply suffer”.

  35. Very nice message “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional”. Radhanath Swami himself has withstood so many painful situations.

  36. How we interpret a particular situation can make or mar our life in general and devotional life in particular. Maharaj always preaches positive attitude for devotees. He is himself an epitome of positivity.

  37. Wonderful !

    All Glories to HH Radhanath swami maharaj

    Thank you so much for posting wonderful nectar.

  38. Great souls like Sridhar Swami and Radhanath Swami are practically demonstrating with their lives how by spiritualizing our lives we can transcend difficulties in this live and lead a happy life even here in this material world! What to speak about returning back to spiritual world…

  40. Very nice article by HH Radhanath Swami. As HH Radhanath Swami quotes, the pains pleasures experienced here in this world are temporary and are on bodily platform. But to get overwhelmed by them or get carried away by their influence and forget our real goal of life, i.e. self realisation is optional. To the extent we realsie the difference between the body and soul to that extent we transcend the pains and pleasures of this world and go closer to Krishna.

  43. In every day life, either body or mind and sometimes both is always in pain. This explanation from Maharaj helps us to understand, if not completely, at least little bit. Gives us hope that we are on the path of purification and nothing to worry, be in positive spirit and carry on…. Thanks Maharaj

  44. Wonderful story, nice wisdom how we can isolate things and make our choices. Pain does not cause suffering, our reaction to pain causes suffering, if we are not trained and do not depend on Krishna then we react.

  49. Heart touching statement “Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional.” Thank you Radhanath swami fo describing it so nicely.

  50. Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing this eye-opening experience from the life of HH Shridhar Maharaj.

  51. Great souls who are beyond the bodily platform never choose to suffer even when the physical body or mind may be wracked with pain. Instead they turn even so called suffering into a blissful situation by their positive attitude of love for god.

  57. “Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional.” Very true. Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing this beautiful point.

  59. Devotees see suffering as a means to remember God more. Thanks to Radhanath Swami to explain this in a understandable way.

  60. Indeed a beautiful realization – “Even though physically the pain might be hurting, we can find deep fulfillment in the gratitude of having been purified”.

  61. One can learn from the lives of great souls , how they positively react to a difficult situation in life

  62. Highly touched and impressed by statement of Sridhar Swamiji that “Pain may be inevitable but suffering is optional”.Thank you very much for sharing.

  66. His Holiness Sridhar Swami Maharaj is really great. his way of thinking and positive attitude is really encouraging us.

  67. Radhanath Swami Maharaj explains that in every situation we have a choice how to react.

  68. HH Radhanath Swami guides us how to come out of bodily conception of life in simple words.

  69. This is so true for Srila Prabhupada as well. He was in so much pain towards the end of his stay on this planet, but he never suffered. We need to follow in the path of our Acharyas.

  72. Thank You Radhanath Swami for showing us the attitude to be aspired for in the time of pain and suffering,.

  73. All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj

    What an profound saying ” Suffering is optional though pain may be inevitable”. And that’s so true. If we keep this close to our heart and follow it, it shall simply change our attitude towards life.

    Hare Krishna

  75. Wonderful article by Radhanath Swami Maharaj.Really it gives wonderful insight for looking towards the pains & sufferings in life.Thank you very much Maharaj.

  80. All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj

    Thank you for sharing. Very true everything is a matter of choice.

    Hare Krishna

Comments are closed.