“Better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.”
This ancient proverb reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, when suffering feels overwhelming, our small actions matter. The world today presents us with many reasons to feel helpless—wars, humanitarian crises, political divisions, and personal struggles that seem insurmountable. It’s easy to look at the scale of suffering and ask, What can I possibly do?
Recently, I received an email from a podcast listener who works in humanitarian aid. She expressed deep frustration, feeling like she was pouring water into a bucket with a hole in it—giving all she had, yet never seeing real change. I’ve received similar messages from others who feel lost in the face of suffering, wondering if their efforts even make a difference.
This led me to reflect on a teaching from Buddhism known as the Bodhisattva path—the practice of showing up for others, not because we know we can fix everything, but because compassion calls us to act.
In this blog post, I want to explore what it means to walk the Bodhisattva path in today’s world, how we can engage with suffering without burning out, and why small acts of kindness still matter, even when they seem insignificant.
The Bodhisattva Path: A Commitment to Compassion
In traditional Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is someone who vows to work toward awakening, not just for themselves but for the benefit of all beings. The idea is radical: a Bodhisattva willingly postpones their own liberation until everyone is free from suffering. It’s like running a marathon and deciding not to cross the finish line until you’ve helped everyone else get there first.
At first glance, this might seem impossible. How can we alleviate all suffering? How can we keep showing up when the suffering in the world feels endless? But the Bodhisattva path isn’t about solving suffering once and for all—it’s about how we choose to engage with the world, moment by moment.
The Bodhisattva path is guided by four vows, which provide a framework for compassionate action:
1. Beings are numberless; I vow to free them all.
2. Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them all.
3. Dharma gates are boundless; I vow to enter them all.
4. The Buddha way is unsurpassable; I vow to embody it.
These vows acknowledge the paradox at the heart of this path: the work is infinite, and yet, we commit to it anyway. It’s not about reaching a final destination; it’s about walking the path with intention.
The Weight of the World: How Do We Engage Without Burning Out?
One of the biggest challenges of engaging with suffering is the risk of burnout. If we take on too much, we can become overwhelmed, cynical, or even numb. How do we stay engaged without being consumed by the enormity of it all?
The answer lies in how we engage.
1. Start Where You Are
You don’t have to quit your job and move to a war zone to make a difference. The Bodhisattva path is not about grand gestures; it’s about bringing compassion to the small, everyday moments of life.
- If you’re a teacher, your classroom is your path.
- If you’re a parent, your home is your path.
- If you’re a neighbor, your community is your path.
Whatever is right in front of you, that is where you begin.
2. Embrace Both/And Thinking
It’s easy to fall into the trap of either/or thinking:
- Either I can fix everything, or I can do nothing.
- Either the world is getting better, or it’s getting worse.
The Bodhisattva path teaches us both/and thinking instead:
- The world contains both incredible suffering and incredible beauty.
- We may never see the fruits of our efforts, and our efforts still matter.
- We can acknowledge suffering while also cultivating joy.
This shift in perspective allows us to stay engaged without despair.
3. Find Joy and Gratitude in the Present Moment
Thich Nhat Hanh once wrote:
“Suffering is not enough. Life is both dreadful and wonderful. How can I smile when I am filled with sorrow? It is natural. You need to smile to your sorrow because you are more than your sorrow.”
If we only focus on suffering, we become drained. If we only focus on joy, we become disconnected. The key is balance—acknowledging suffering while also nurturing gratitude.
A simple practice is keeping a daily gratitude journal. Each evening, write down three small things that brought you joy that day. Over time, this habit helps train the mind to hold both suffering and beauty at the same time.
The Story of Kisa Gotami: Finding Connection in Suffering
One of my favorite Buddhist stories is that of Kisa Gotami, a woman who lived during the Buddha’s time. She lost her young son and was devastated with grief. Desperate to bring him back, she went from house to house, begging for medicine that could revive him.
Finally, someone told her to seek out the Buddha. He told her he could prepare medicine for her, but first, she needed to bring him a mustard seed from a home that had never experienced death.
Kisa Gotami eagerly set out, knocking on doors, asking for a mustard seed. Every home had mustard seeds—but none had escaped loss. Everywhere she went, she heard stories of parents, siblings, children who had died.
Slowly, she realized the Buddha had given her a different kind of medicine—the understanding that suffering is universal. She was not alone in her grief.
This story reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. Suffering connects us. When we recognize this, we shift from asking Why is this happening to me? to This is what it means to be human.
And from that awareness, compassion naturally arises.
Lighting a Candle in the Darkness
So what can we do when the suffering in the world feels too much?
We can light a candle.
The Bodhisattva path is not about eliminating all suffering. It’s about showing up right here, right now—offering kindness, understanding, and presence, even in small ways.
- A kind word to someone struggling.
- A moment of deep listening.
- A choice to act with integrity, even when no one is watching.
These small actions matter. They create ripples. They illuminate the darkness.
At the end of my Dharma talk, I reflected on why I do this podcast, why I engage with these teachings. It’s not because I expect to change the world. It’s because I know that right now, someone might be listening, and that might help them.
And that’s enough.
That is the Bodhisattva path.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the world, I invite you to listen to the full Dharma talk in this episode. Let it be a reminder that you are not alone, that your actions matter, and that even in difficult times, we can each be a small light in the darkness.
Thank you for being here, for walking this path together.
Until next time,
Noah Rasheta
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