Finding Happiness Through Understanding Suffering: A Zen Perspective

The World Through Zen Eyes podcast recently explored a fascinating question: If Buddhism emphasizes suffering so much, where's the joy? This question stems from a common misunderstanding that Buddhism is pessimistic, when in reality, it offers profound insights into finding genuine happiness.

Dr. Ruben Lambert and Myong-Ahn Sunim discussed how the emphasis on suffering in Buddhism isn't meant to be depressing but rather practical and ultimately liberating. As they eloquently put it, "What is joy if not absence of suffering?" By identifying and understanding our suffering, we create the conditions for joy to naturally emerge. This perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint to spiritual bypassing or toxic positivity that pervades much of modern spiritual discourse.

One of the most compelling insights from the episode was the exploration of "knowledge is power" through a Buddhist lens. Unlike conventional interpretations where power means control over others, in Buddhism, knowledge grants us power over our own suffering. When we understand the mountains we need to climb and prepare accordingly, we suffer less along the journey. This knowledge becomes joy because it equips us with the tools to navigate life's obstacles skillfully rather than blindly stumbling through them.

The hosts also explored Buddha nature—the inherent capacity for awakening present in all beings. This teaching represents the "good news" of Buddhism: despite all appearances of suffering, our true nature is already complete, already at peace. This paradox is at the heart of Zen: life is filled with suffering, yet beneath that suffering lies a fundamental peace that is always accessible. The realization that enlightenment is as simple as "blinking your eyes" or "touching your nose" brings profound joy even amidst difficult circumstances.

A particularly illuminating metaphor used was that of happiness and sadness as a seesaw with a fulcrum in the center. While the ends move up and down constantly, the center point—representing peace—remains still. Zen doesn't advocate denying life's full range of experiences but rather encourages us to find that still point amidst life's inevitable fluctuations. Peace, they explained, isn't the absence of emotion but something that transcends both happiness and sadness.

The hosts challenged the modern aversion to boredom and stillness. In a culture that glorifies constant stimulation and activity, we've forgotten that sitting quietly is itself an activity with its own richness. Peace isn't nothing—it's something profoundly satisfying that many people simply haven't experienced because they're constantly chasing the "loudness" of conventional happiness or running from sadness.

Like a surfer waiting patiently for waves, riding them joyfully while they last, then returning to a state of peaceful anticipation, Zen teaches us to flow with life's rhythms rather than fighting against them. This stance toward life—neither clinging to happiness nor avoiding suffering—represents the Middle Path that leads to lasting peace.

The episode concluded with an invitation to listeners to share their own testimonials and topic suggestions, emphasizing that the podcast aims to create a community of inquiry rather than simply dispensing wisdom from on high. This collaborative approach embodies the Bodhisattva ideal discussed in the episode—the enlightened being who, with humility and compassion, helps others find their way out of suffering.

For those interested in exploring Zen without the misconceptions of pessimism, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how confronting suffering directly can lead to the deepest joy imaginable—not the fleeting happiness that depends on external conditions, but the lasting peace that comes from knowing one's true nature.