Second Idea Blog-> Human Situation

*This is a photograph by Larry Towell from San Salvador, El Salvador. The caption reads "A daughter comforts her mother who passes out while grieving at the grave of her son who was killed by government death squads" This is one of the most powerful, but extreme images of the human situation I could find. 

Human Situation

“That is the real rub! It seems to me that it is not so much death itself that is the rub, but the constant chaffing of the wish to find happiness and avoid suffering moment by moment, hour by hour, day after day, year after year, and perhaps even life after life… It is this push to avoid suffering and find happiness that disturbs our peace, and death is only a part of that rub” (Perdue, 02)

“Religions are intended to oppose death and suffering, and spirituality is always intended to bring forth a positive effect, not necessarily for everyone, but always the practitioner… Spiritual practices are not just for ultimate peace from death, but also temporary restraint of suffering.” (Perdue, 05)

“This is the place of spirituality in our human lives- it is just another tool in the bag of tricks we employ in our quest to find happiness, and avoid suffering. It may be only tool that can work. It may be a worthless waste of time” (Perdue, 05)

“The Human Situation” Buddhist Reasoning and Debate. Perdue, Daniel. 2010.

The human situation is often the basis for further discussion so any book discussing world religions should start with universal qualities as it first discussion. In particular, Daniel Perdue often starts his courses and books on this concept.

“Having been born as we have, now we face death.” (Perdue 01) is the first phrase in the discussion of the human situation, but it is more than that. Between now and death we will face difficulties, no matter who you are you will suffer before you die. Knowing that these are not optional, it becomes a matter of how your respond to constant threat of death and suffering. We all want happiness but often cannot have it, and this is the dilemma we are all in together. “No matter what, that game is always at play. Look into others’ eyes, and you will know the truth of this.” (Perdue 03) This struggle, chaffing, urge whatever is the universal push towards spirituality. All religions offer relief in one way or another, and in that way and only in that way are they all the same. The issues of death and suffering as a part of the human situation are dealt with across the board, and are good places to start a discussion because it is common ground to build up understanding and is a problem we are all facing and can understand. Our spiritual views and practices are often the main tool to stave off suffering and death (even if only temporarily), and bring comfort to our lives. I will explore how people use spirituality to bring comfort to themselves, deal with death, deal with the inconsistencies in life, etc. How personal spiritual beliefs and practices help people deal with the human situation will definitely be an issue I address in my interviews and project all together.