Many embrace mental suffering to avoid physical discomfort but does it work, asks AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI

Everyone without exception gets physical pain/suffering in this material world. We always have a choice to try to reduce it, but that can only go so far as to reduce the degree of pain/suffering but it must still be tolerated. However, not everyone sees it this way. They try to avoid it by using their various resources, especially drugs. In the bargain, they fall prey to mental suffering because they are bound to be worried, scared, anxious about return of physical pain/suffering.

let me start with a story. The story is of a family in Patna. A couple with their three college going sons and a daughter was living peacefully.  However, fate had something else in store for them. The local dada took a fancy for the young girl and began to harass her in many ways. He would follow her when she went to her college or sometimes try to speak to her. At first the girl tried to ignore him and did not mention this to her family, but when this became excessive, she complained. The family members were shocked and at the same time very scared. Still, her father mustered courage and approached this ruffian. The reaction was very much on expected lines; this thug threatened her father with physical violence if he ever came near him.

Feeling dejected and hopeless, the family members consulted one another and decided to seek help from police. The eldest son went to the police station and spoke to the station head. He refused to register a complaint; he happened to be a close relative of this goon.

Now what could the family have doneIJ They fervently hoped that this man will soon lose interest in the girl and leave her alone. But this did not happen. If anything, he became more obnoxious after learning from his police relative about the complaint against him. His conduct had become totally unbearable. The family thought of selling their house and moving away, but due to the fear of this thug no one was prepared to buy it.

Unable to bear the mental suffering any longer, the youngest brother picked up an iron rod and went out looking for the thug. He did not inform his family members because he was sure they would prevent him from doing this almost suicidal act. He approached the dada and attacked him with the iron rod. The thug was initially surprised, because he was not used to physical confrontation. They fought and both got grievously hurt. After that, this man never bothered the girl again.

This was an extreme case but a considerable percentage of the population chooses to embrace mental suffering in order to avoid physical discomforts or obtain material objects illegally in order to enjoy them. How will you explain stealing or taking bribesIJ  The one indulging in this knows for sure that his or her mental peace will be gone because of the fear of being caught. Such a person does not realise that his or her thoughts and actions are doing greater damage to him than what any physical suffering or discomfort would have done.

let us analyse these two sufferings. Physical pain or discomfort is always temporary; it comes and goes. But, the mental suffering like that of a criminal always stays with him or her24 hours a day, causing more pain than any degree of physical pain may give. There are countless cases of extreme physical bravery. However, mental suffering is so debilitating that many contemplate committing suicide and a few do so too.

 let us, therefore, accept the unavoidable physical pain/suffering and avoid mental suffering. We would do ourselves a great favour.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com