This word, spiritually, according to the sutras of the Buddha and lineages of teachers, applies to this universe as an ocean of pain and suffering for the infinite numbers of sentient beings who live in it. We all, human, animal, and spirits, have physical, mental, emotional and spiritual pain and suffering. The cause of this is our delusion in the way we perceive, think, and emotionally react to this phenomenal world.

This basic delusion or ignorance escalates into attachment, aversion, pride, , jealousy, fear, anxiety, depression and thousands of other neurotic and psychotic states of thinking, speaking, and activity. The medicinal antidote to all this is ultimately apparent to those human beings who have developed awareness through the spiritual practices of meditation, or insight. The result of developing awareness is to penetrate the illusory nature of this ocean of pain and transform it into an ocean of bliss. This happens by applying the antidote of awareness itself to everything we sense, believe, or think about and remove the emotional involvement with the self, I, or ego. This spontaneously redirects all this energy in positive way to benefit others still floundering in this ocean of suffering. This method of altruistic compassion and ultimate awareness, working together is beyond delusions and it is called enlightenment. Ah women !