Life is difficult.
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult–once we truly understand and accept it–then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
Most do not fully see this truth that life is difficult. Instead they moan more or less incessantly, noisily or subtly, about the enormity of their problems, their burdens, and their difficulties as if life were generally easy, as if life should be easy. They voice their belief, noisily or subtly, that their difficulties represent a unique kind of affliction that should not be and that has somehow been especially visited upon them, or else upon their families, their tribe, their class, their nation, their race or even their species, and not upon others. I know about this moaning because I have done my share.
–M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth (Touchstone, 1978 original), p.15, and quoted in this morning’s sermon by yours truly
Ah, yes, “life is difficult” — a translation of the First Noble Truth of dukkha.
Would somebody out there who has read Peck please give me their assessment on the value of his writing? I have a vague idea that I should make time to read him.
Peck is worth reading.
Peck is all right for some immature Christians. I wouldn’t recommend it for
the substance of one’s advanced faith. Then again, perhaps I need to read it again for more substance!
Sam — I highly recommend People of the Lie by Peck. It, along with book Not The Way It’s Supposed To Be, by Plantinga, are the two books I turn to regarding sin and evil.
A third would be Bishop Allison’s treatment in Guilt, Anger, and God.