W.E. Krill, Jr. M.S.P.C.

The Buddha said that all suffering comes from attachment. Jesus likewise reflected this in His statements of how truly wealthy the poor are, as their treasure lay elsewhere.

We are people of great frustration. I am a fellow victim of attachment to things and endeavors, becoming frustrated with the things that are really out of my control. I used to obsess a great deal about things such as money, projects, and people. Trying to make everything (even the people in our lives) 'just so' is a fruitless endeavor. We can never make things be the way we have them in our imagination. And when things (and again, people) are not the way we want them, we experience constant frustration.

This frustration is the outcome of attachment, and is genuine emotional and mental pain and anguish. Letting go of the attachment takes a wrestling match with frustration: getting sick and tired of being sick and tired of being frustrated with the things, endeavors, and people in our lives.

Along with great frustration comes secondary behaviors (reactions, really) that add to our pain. Things like rage, substance abuse, and self harm are the dark fruits of frustration. In essence, we become attached to the idea that we can control things, events, and people. We place ourselves above God.

Surrender and letting go of attachment banishes frustration and all the pain that goes with it. But it is a long journey, and not one that happens instantly (if only!). Some say ending our attachments cannot really take place before our fifth or sixth decade, and takes much wisdom. But that is misleading, because the real wisdom needed is not something gained, but something totally emptied from yourself.

Buddha attained enlightenment when he lost himself. Saint Paul stated that for a Christian, we let go of ourself to allow Christ to be born within us. Now that sounds like an end to frustration.