Beginning
RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Reducing Suffering

How to let go of painful experiences

Yoga can help reduce suffering. One can de-intensify painful experiences by moving from an ego focus to a sense of soul and Spirit. Yoga practices are designed to help us learn from life events, providing opportunities for change and transformation. While suffering is a human experience, its effects can be lessened. Try these techniques to help reduce any pain and suffering.

The Secret

Suffering intensifies the ego. We naturally tend to focus on our ego (the false sense of self) during difficult experiences. Yoga teaches that the main way to reduce suffering is to direct our focus away from the false sense of self. The secret is to switch from intensifying the pain to de-intensifying it. We want to go from an ego position to an awareness of soul and Spirit.

The yogic view is that the soul is eternal — it doesn’t die. It is pure — it can’t be contaminated through sin or evil deeds. It never experiences pain. Only the body, nervous system and mind are aware of pain. Yogis seek to experience soul-centering instead of an intense ego reaction in times of suffering.

  • Suffering intensifies the ego
  • Suffering also provides the impetus for change and transformation
  • There are many yogic techniques to reduce pain and suffering
  • The soul, the Spirit at the core of our being, is eternal, pure and painless. It does not suffer
  • Yoga practices help us deal with suffering by changing our ego focus to a conscious connection with soul and Spirit
New Videos Every Wednesday
Each week you’ll discover different approaches and techniques which will lead to a more satisfying, spiritual life. Watch for two new videos and one new talk every Wednesday! View our Recent Additions.

New This Week

Show More

How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Share with a Friend

NOTE:  We will not share your information with third parties.