Suffering

Through the power of craving, becoming, and ignorance, 

Beings circle helplessly through the five realms

Of humans, gods, and the three lower existences.

It is like the spinning of a potter’s wheel.

The three worlds blaze with the sufferings of old age and sickness. 

There is no protection here from the fiercely blazing fires of death. 

Beings who arise in this world are ever deluded.

They are like bees trapped in a vase, circling.

Meditation:

First we contemplate on the suffering of the six realms, clearly imagining what it is like in each one. Our mind can enter other realms through the power of visualization, which allows them to unfold in our experience. From a moment of pain, for example from being burned, or feeling extreme cold, we can extrapolate, extend the experience to understand what it must be like in the hot or cold realms. From moments of hunger or thirst, we can imagine the spirit realm.

If it is too difficult to imagine other realms, it is enough to focus on the human realm. For example, we can put ourselves into the place of someone in a war zone, helpless, hungry, separated from loved ones, living in constant fear of attack and injury, seeing constant violence. The power of our contemplation depends on really imagining ourselves in these situations, feeling what it is like to be in these positions. Reflect, then rest.

When thoughts arise, generate compassion for all the beings in the six realms who have been our parents. All of them are caught in cycles of suffering and do not know how to escape. Reflect, then rest.

When thoughts arise, pray – may suffering not sweep me away. May I see whatever arises as purification. When I am confused by suffering, may I not create the karmic causes for more misery. May I attain the power to lead others from the depths of samsara to a state beyond sorrow. May all beings be liberated from the endless cycles of samsaric suffering. May I practice the path until I attain liberation for the sake of all beings, and not give up, or abandon mother sentient beings. Rest.