Work Issue + Wanting = Suffering

Hi All

I have a couple of requests for guidance. I work in a training capacity and the person I’m training is a 63 year old man. He’s just not capable of doing the job but he’s the sweetest kindest man. I’m finding suffering arising because I know he’s not going to work out and I like him and want him to work out.

Part of me wants to let him know what’s going to happen so he’s not blindsided but I know the company would not want me to do that so I feel torn between being a friend and his trainer.

I feel sad because I can’t help him anymore because he’s just not getting it and he is not going to get it.

I also see that the arising of suffering within me is clearly attached to how much I care about him and maybe that I’m unable to get him to pass the training.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you

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Greetings @amimettalove, nice to see you again.

All we can do is put in the causes, the outcomes are out of our control.

Furthermore, it is hard to be sure about the outcomes and their ultimate effect. For example. some things that happen to us may seem to be exactly the opposite of what we want, or imagine what we want, at the time, but then turn out to be exactly right, or the opposite.. or any combination.

So the thing is, to be open to positive outcomes of not getting what we thought was so important to us. For example, if if comes to pass that the man you are teaching has lovely qualities, but they are not matched to this specific thing, then maybe it could be of use for him to focus on other types of things/jobs/activities that are a better match for him.

He has obviously made a deep impression on you, so it is likely there are good qualities that can be of use in other circumstances and places.

As a trainer, it is natural to highlight the good qualities and talk about where they would be most matched and useful, so it is a win:win for all parties. This is a kindness in my view - an adaptive and compassionate lens through which to look at the realities of employment or volunteering.

Though at the end of the day, we can only do what is possible, and if you know you have done your best, with compassion and care, then, no matter the outcome, there is nothing to regret, but leads to an appreciation of the Dukkha in the nature of our world. His experience of the caring way you interact with him will be a positive thing, and that will be of benefit, no matter what.

I hope these few words may give you a few ideas for how to progress.

Much Metta

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I know what you’re saying. In this situation, I think there are two things to consider: contemplation of dukkha and compassion.

Once one sufficiently experiences, feels, contemplates and understands the nature, breadth and depth of dukkha, one begins to understand the Four Noble Truths in the way that the Buddha intended for us to do. Really knowing dukkha like this is contemplation of dukkha.

When we see people in the world at large who don’t know of or understand the beautiful teachings of the Buddha, we see them going about their live oblivious of the samsara of dukkha they are trapped in. The cultivation of compassion is when we’re concerned and, from a loving heart, we wish for others to find freedom from suffering and affliction.

I think is helpful to see what’s happening to this kind man as not only suffering for him, but what is happening for billions of others. Compassion springs from a joyful mind of goodwill, benevolence and the wish for others to be free from dukkha. I think it’s important to be careful to not let seeing the suffering of others generate sadness in the mind, but rather compassion.

What Viveka said!

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