How do Jewish and Zen practice view suffering and how do they handle it?
Both practices teach us that times of loneliness, confusion, doubt or separation come for a powerful reason – so we can stop our usual way of being and discover where true strength, connection and understanding lie. Both practices tell us that suffering is based upon alienation, loneliness, separation. In Jewish practice it is said that we are separated from God, from our true purpose in life and from all the goodness that is here for us. Jewish practice provides many practices which heal this separation, guide us towards our true purpose, and allow us to acquire a larger view of ourselves and what we are doing in this world. Zen practice informs us that suffering is due to the three poisons that we all contain in varying degrees, based upon our karma; greed, anger and delusion. The practice helps us purify these poisons, let them go, and see the difference between medicine and poison. As we do so we become more awake, free of obstacles, and able to live from what is called our Buddha
