During this festive season, often associated with joy, unity, and togetherness, my thoughts go out to those who may be navigating darker times. I think of those for whom these days may carry feelings of solitude or emotions that are hard to bear, those who feel out of sync with the excitement around them.
Among the most taboo subjects of our time, suicide remains something society prefers to ignore or reduce to mere statistics. Yet, it may well be one of the leading causes of death worldwide when considering both direct and indirect forms. Behind this silence lies a collective misunderstanding, a fear of confronting what seems irreconcilable: the human suffering brought to its peak.
But beyond the emotional shock, there is an essential question that few dare to ask: Is suicide a solution? What if it were just another dead end in the quest for inner peace?
The holidays have a way of bringing to the surface all that remains buried within us, be it happy memories, a sense of loss, or unhealed wounds. For some, they underline the need to seek deeper answers or solace. To those carrying this weight, I want to say: You are not alone. Even in moments when the suffering feels overwhelming, when the darkness feels absolute, there is light—a light that may be subtle but is always present. It is this light that I hope this article can serve to remind you of, not by imposing answers but by opening a space for reflection and comfort.
Suffering Is Not an Exit, but a Call
Suicide is often seen by those who reach this point as the only way to escape unbearable suffering. However, suffering, as intense as it may be, is not a dead end. It is the reflection of a mistaken belief about ourselves, a perception fueled by the idea that we are separate: separate from others, from the world, and from our own essence.
From a deeper spiritual perspective, suffering is not an enemy but a message. It invites us to examine what we believe to be true, to question the stories we carry about who we are and what we think we must endure. As a nondual teaching reminds us:
"The world you see is the visible proof of an invisible thought system." (ACIM)
Thus, suffering is not a definitive state but a screen projected by our mind. Attempting to escape this screen through suicide is like trying to flee one illusion by creating another. The mind, trapped in the cycle of samsara, will continue to recreate the same experiences until it chooses liberation—not through escape but by directly addressing the belief at the root of the pain.
Suicide: An Illusion of an Ending
Ramana Maharshi said:
"Death is not the end. What dies is merely the body, but the mind remains. Desires, fears, and attachments continue."
The suffering that seems to drive someone to this ultimate act is not resolved by physical death. Suicide is not a solution because the thought system of the ego that fuels this act remains intact. The ego will merely project unresolved beliefs into another experience, another "cycle."
The cycle of samsara—this endless loop of birth, death, and rebirth—is based on this dynamic. As long as the mind believes peace or liberation lies outside itself, it will continually recreate the same patterns.
"Thoughts do not leave their source. What you see outside of you is a projection of what is within you." (ACIM)
Arten and Pursah remind us that the mind cannot escape its beliefs by simply shedding the physical body. After death, what we call "the afterlife" remains an extension of the dream. The mind continues to dream, carrying unresolved patterns of fear, guilt, and separation. Until these beliefs are transcended, the mind reincarnates into a new cycle, reliving the same pains and illusions in different forms. Suicide, therefore, does not interrupt the dream; it simply extends it into another version, still marked by perceptions of lack and separation.
True liberation lies not in fleeing suffering but in forgiving it—in recognizing that this world, with all its illusions, holds no power to define our essence. By choosing to see suffering differently, we begin to step out of the dream, transcend the cycles of reincarnation, and remember the peace that has never been lost.
Liberation: The Choice to See Differently
Spiritual liberation does not mean rejecting suffering but learning to see it differently. Instead of seeking to flee or fight it, we can choose to see it as an opportunity for healing. Kenneth Wapnick, in his teachings, often reminded us:
"There is nothing to fix, nothing to save. Everything you see is a projection of your belief that you are separate from God. Simply realize that this belief is not real."
This different perspective is the beginning of liberation. When we stop believing suffering is a condemnation, it becomes a call to return inward, to the place where peace remains untouched.
The question is not "How can I escape this suffering?" but rather, "Am I willing to see it differently?" This choice does not require changing the external world or "fixing" what seems broken within us. It simply requires recognizing that this world, with its pains and illusions, does not have the power to define us.
"What is real cannot be threatened. What is unreal does not exist." (ACIM)
A Message of Hope for Those Who Suffer
To you who are facing a moment of deep despair, know that your pain, as overwhelming as it may seem, does not define you. It is not a condemnation but a gentle, silent invitation to look beyond the shadows.
Suffering may feel like it traps you, but it is only a veil—fragile, temporary—woven from thoughts and beliefs that can be gently questioned. You are not alone in this darkness. Each moment, even the most difficult, carries within it an opening, a glimmer of light leading to something greater and more peaceful.
The light you seek may feel distant, but it is never out of reach. In truth, it is not something you must attain. It is already here, because it is who you are—beyond the illusions of separation and suffering. It is a memory, a recognition that even in the heart of hardship, you are more than what you are experiencing right now.
Take a moment to breathe, to simply be present with what is. You are held, even if it does not seem apparent. And through this recognition, step by step, the light will gently guide you to the peace that is always within you.
For Those Who Accompany
If you are witnessing the pain of someone close to you, remember that your role is not to "save" them or solve their suffering. Your role is to offer them a space of love and presence. True healing comes from recognizing what is already whole within us. Sometimes, simply being there, without judgment or expectations, can be a light for someone, even if they cannot yet see it.
This article aims to open a space for reflection—not to minimize pain, but to show that even in the deepest darkness, there is another way. A way of looking beyond illusion to remember that we are never truly separated from peace and love.
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