Dear Ramo,

How it is that my life is so blessed, when so many thousands of people are suffering so much. There is a part of my mind that wants to feel guilty. I guess I must have had my share of suffering lives before, and that might be me the next time around. But how to know which is better anyway?

Ram: Your life is blessed because you have made intelligent choices which has resulted in good karma and a contemplative disposition…and this disposition allows you to appreciate yourself. That some part wants to feel guilty is compassion, I’d say. But you probably should know that suffering is as good as enjoying, if you are seeking freedom because it purifies your mind. If you are not seeking freedom it is also good because it will eventually cause you to examine your values and see how they are affecting your choices and therefore creating a lousy (suffering life). So anyway you look at it suffering is good.

Finally, I know what you mean about how it might be you next time around…it’s a kind of humility…but no way. You will not be coming back. Why? Because there is no back. And if there is it won’t be the same person coming back so you won’t realize that you had it good before… so it won’t mean anything. Have a bit of a think about this if you please.

Ramo