Pain

And a woman spoke, saying, Tell us of Pain.

And a woman said, Tell us about Pain.

And he said:

And he said:

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

Your pain is the breaking of the shell around your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

Just as a fruit's pit must break so its heart can stand in the sun, you must know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And if you could keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would seem no less wondrous than your joy,

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, just as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.

And you would watch calmly through the winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen.

You choose much of your own pain.

It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.

It is the bitter medicine your inner doctor uses to heal your sick self.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity: For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen, And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.

So trust the doctor, and drink his medicine quietly and calmly. For though his hand is heavy and hard, the tender hand of the Unseen guides it. And though the cup he brings burns your lips, it was made from clay that the Potter moistened with his own sacred tears.