Expert: Stuart Resnick - 6/14/2011

Question
Good morning,
A year or two ago I read a parable online about a woman who was suffering and decided to find someone who was not in pain.  She searched and realized that each and every person has their own issues.  I do not remember how or where I read this, and would like a hard copy of this parable, a book or an online essay or something to print and read, and re-read.  
Would you be able to tell me where I can find this in writing?  I remember the point of the story, but not well enough to share with others.  Please help as this is a parable that has stuck with me.

Many thanks,

Answer
Most of us spend much time and energy trying to get good feelings and avoid bad feelings. Eventually, we may discover that it's not possible to feel good all the time. Everything is changing, so sometimes we get pleasure and sometimes pain, sometimes we're healthy and sometimes sick, sometimes we're alive and eventually we're dead.

That's point of the parable, that everything is changing all the time, coming and going like clouds in the sky. But in the midst of this, one thing is pure and clear. What do you see, what do you hear, what are you doing right now? When pain and suffering appears, then respond with compassion. If you're hungry, eat; if someone else is hungry, give them food.

I don't know where this exact parable may be written. The best you can do is try Google. Or forget about the details of the parable, and just follow the point of the parable, which is to wake up to this very moment.