This meditation is aimed at looking at the suffering of the world, my mental reactions as I observe that suffering.  As I recognize that we are all part of the web that creates the suffering, I can then look into the Four Noble Truths and see my way out of suffering.

I begin by seeing myself as sitting on the bank of the river of life.  I observe life as the water of the river flowing from no beginning to no end.  I am the observer of the river.  I am also the water of the river as well as the movement of the water.

I now turn my attention and look at the suffering of people through discrimination, exploitation, killing, enslaving, raping, abuse.  I see that human suffering has always been in the river.  I contemplate, and open my heart to, human suffering.

I look at my reactions to this suffering  my sadness, my outrage, perhaps disbelief,, even helplessness, as well as my compassion.  I also recognize in myself the ability to disassociate, to distance, to say “it is the way of the world” or to say “it no longer happens,” or “it cannot happen here.”

I see that I too, am benefitting from the suffering of others – my society, my culture, physical entities like libraries and universities, institutions, wealth, have all been built upon generations of the exploitation of so-called “others.”  I do not think of myself as a racist, and yet I too benefit from racist systems.

I now look at the suffering of animals in factory farms, cramped in unbearable conditions, unable to turn around, having no freedom, destined to be made into food in the form of dairy or eggs, and slaughtered for human consumption as meat or leather.  I also look at the suffering of animals used in research and in testing of chemicals.

I look at my reactions to the suffering of billions, my disbelief, my disassociation, my anger, my helplessness, as well as my compassion and love.  I recognize my capacity to keep on living my own life, as this is not happening to me, or my loved ones.  I too am involved in the slaughter and exploitation of animals, even if I do not eat animal products or wear leather: the economy which supports me is heavily reliant on the suffering of animals!

I turn to look at the suffering of the planet, the clear cutting of forests, the poisoning of the soil, the polluting of rivers and oceans.  I contemplate, and open my heart to the suffering of this planet.

I look at my reactions to the suffering of this planet that is my home and I recognize my capacity to keep on living my own life even with this incredible suffering, the thought that this is not happening to me, that it happens far away often in places I have never seen.  And yet, I am involved in the destruction of our planet through my own consumption, through my own comfort.  I have no choice but to be implicated even as I object.

I turn the wheel of the Dharma with the First Noble Truth – the Truth of Suffering.  Opening my heart to the suffering of the world.

I turn the wheel of the Dharma with the Second Noble Truth – The truth of the causes of suffering, of ignorance.  I recognize that we are all programmed to protect ourselves, that we all attempt to thrive, and that in our efforts to survive and thrive we ignore the suffering of others.

I turn the wheel of the Dharma with the Third Noble Truth – The End of Suffering.   If we all wake up and stop protecting our own sense of self, our sense of protection,  then life can thrive and suffering ceases.

I turn the wheel of the Dharma with the Fourth Noble Truth – The Path for ending suffering.  I can stop identifying with the self I created.  I can stop protecting and promoting this self.  And when I let go of my own sense of self, I become the water of the river.  I give others the space and opportunity to shed their protective layers too.

I see that the way to the cessation of suffering is to create peace, and space within me, so I can let go of protecting.