By Books Writer Denise Turney

Breaking free from suffering takes more than desire. At its start, suffering is sharp, confusing. You don’t understand why someone is causing you pain. Or perhaps it’s an experience like an illness, abject poverty or a destructive storm that thrust you into a state of confusion. Regardless of the cause, if suffering continues for long periods, you could start to believe that pain is inevitable, simply a part of life.

Steps to Breaking Free from Suffering

The only experience that might shake that belief is witnessing someone who’s not suffering, to actually see someone who has learned to break free from suffering. This is when freedom from living in pain can really reward, not just you but, those around you. But, how to break free from suffering?

• Understand that you have a True Self that rests in peace and joy.
• To experience your right to freedom, practice watching your thoughts pass, similar to watching clouds float by. Keep your thoughts free of judgment. Instead, just watch them pass. Also, watch how your thoughts change. Eventually, you may observe that you aren’t the thoughts that pass through your brain. As a tip, you may find this to be a good exercise if your thoughts create the emotion of fear.
• Pause before you take action if you feel off center or as if you’re giving into habit or an addictive way of thinking. This may not feel easy, especially if erroneous beliefs have been practiced a long time and seem like truth.

More Ways to Start Breaking Free from Suffering

• Read books about people who have learned to break free of suffering from loneliness and other types of suffering. For example, you could read biographies, autobiographies and memoirs of people who had extremely challenging childhoods only to go on and experience joyous adult years.
• To stay encouraged, engage in at least three activities each day that cause you to feel peace and joy. For example, you could enjoy a bike ride, work in a garden, walk outdoors, listen to music that you love or talk with a friend.
• In a safe place, stand in front of a mirror naked and say “I love you” to yourself.
• Accept gifts that are given to you sincerely.
• Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend.
• Write in a journal to express concerns you’re having. As simple as it sounds, this is an effective way to remain free of mental and emotional blocks.

Right to Freedom

Depending on your beliefs and childhood programming, it could take years to break free from suffering. This may be because your own thoughts are the root of your suffering. Seek help if needed, especially if you’re experiencing psychological suffering.

Yet, remember that you are responsible for your thoughts, beliefs and choices. Keep your freedom of choice in all circumstances.

Also, continue to break free from suffering. Don’t give up. Never give up on freedom. So be it if this path to freedom includes meditating, sitting still, journaling, traveling, meeting new people, dancing or working with a professional. Keep loving yourself. And keep believing in your personal freedom, your true inner right to freedom.

If you want encouragement as you continue to break free, consider Mulukan’s story in the book, Long Walk Up. This young orphan girl’s fictional story may leave a lasting impression on you, the type of impression that propels you onward.