Wakened Moments Archives | Dr. Les Kertay

Suffering is inevitable, misery is optional In last week’s post, I wrote on suffering, the first noble truth of Buddhist philosophy. Blog posts don’t do it justice but it’s worth whetting appetites if I can. I also wrote that suffering is inevitable, but misery is optional. Alas, we’ve gotten it entirely backward. We desperately want to believe that misery is natural – in fact, we wear misery with pride. We also think that suffering can somehow be defeated by believing…

Suffering is inevitable, misery is optional (Part 1)

Les Kertay

Wakened Moments

Suffering is inevitable, misery is optional I am a “glass half-full” kind of guy. Most of the time I find the good in people and in my circumstances, no matter how bad things seem. I just naturally believe that although suffering is inevitable, misery is option When Gabriel died, through all the heart-rending tears there was magic and a great outpouring of love in the world. You can read about that here. On getting fired (euphemistically, “down-sized”) I got a…

It’s About Time

Les Kertay

Wakened Moments

We never really know when a seemingly chance encounter will lead to a turning, something new, something unexpectedly and breathtakingly beautiful.

2013: My “Year of Thinking Dangerously”

Les Kertay

Wakened Moments

For 2013 I wish you promise, surprise, and danger. I suppose I should explain myself. Naming the year Last year I learned a new ritual – from my friends Daphne and Melissa – that I’ve adopted: “naming” the year. There is something that seems magical about naming the year. But as with most powerful mental tools, it’s important to remember to be conscious (I like that better than “careful”) what you wish for, because you’re very likely to get it.…

Wakened Moments

Suffering is inevitable, misery is optional (part 2)

Suffering is inevitable, misery is optional (Part 1)

It’s About Time

2013: My “Year of Thinking Dangerously”