Question
My wife has attempted suicide for the third time. I no longer sense the desire to live in her. In your view, what is the most appropriate stance: accept and forgive? Look for what might rekindle her?
Sending you a hug.
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
Explain to her that life is eternal and we cannot escape it through death. Besides, she has already killed herself several times, and yet she is still alive. If she can kill herself, she must be equally able to live without fear. Let her face what there is to face where she is, whether in life or death; it is the same. Tell her that God loves her and gave her life, that God also has every experience she has through her, but he is not afraid and is always joyful.
Why is she unhappy when God is happy within her and finds the experience of her life very important and wonderful?
Let her die to herself! Yes, and leave all the room to the God who lives within her. She will be happy and understand what she came to accomplish on earth.
I know life is sometimes even more painful than death itself, and that we feel this sense of injustice and exhaustion.
But I also know your wife is stronger than death itself. She must understand how fully God lives and is present within her. She must understand that he is her. So she must love and forgive herself as we love and forgive a little child.
She must stay a while longer. We need women’s wisdom so much in these difficult times.
Kosen