Question: You've said our lives don't have to be painful if we learn to pay attention when there's no pain, and I understand that intellectually. How do we learn to pay attention without pain? Can we ever live in perfect peace? If, as you say, things are far less cruel on this planet now than thousands of years ago, and if we continue moving in a positive direction, can this planet eventually be the paradise it has the potential to be. Or MUST there be pain for growth? In short, can this world ever be a 'garden of Eden'?'

Aaron: It would first be useful to ask how you define Eden. By this term do you picture a totally painfree environment where all is provided in abundance, where there is never anger, never illness, never any discomfort of any sort? How can this be? Within the limits of this physical environment, the rain that allows food to grow to abundance also may be disturbing to those who wish for sunshine. Had you in mind a planet where it only rains over growing fields, perhaps only from 11 P.M. to 5 A.M.?

At workshops I frequently ask people if they would like to be free of all pain; emotional and physical. However, I tell those who sign up for what they think will be a gift to take my phone number with them so when they experience the problems associated with feeling no pain they can call and cancel the supposed gift.

Q: Why am I depressed, Aaron? What do I do about it? If my learning doesn’t have to be painful, why is it painful? I think I’m paying attention, but there’s still so much pain.

My dear one, you are light. Each thing seeks its own kind: light seeks light, darkness seeks darkness, joy seeks joy, and sorrow seeks sorrow. When you’re fully able to enter into the experience of yourself as light, everything seems lighter around you. You know yourself to be part of that Ground of all love, call it God or whatever you prefer.