What We Do

We help people with chronic pain and illness create lives worth living right in the midst of their suffering.

If you live every day with crushing stress and pain, you need to mine even the most mundane moments of your life for relief. You must learn to put your mind on what gives you energy, what increases your pleasure even while you are in pain.

That’s what Suffering & Delight is all about. We teach people living with chronic pain and illness how to create rich, textured lives right where they are, pain and all.
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How We Do It

The Institute exists to further the teachings of Darlene Cohen for people living with pain because these teachings have proven to be very helpful in everyday life.

Darlene Cohen's Legacy

Suffering and Delight comes from the teachings of Zen teacher Darlene Cohen who lived with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. She developed S&D to live with her own pain and to help others who are suffering.

The Institute carries on this work.

Group Leader Certification

The Institute certifies S&D group leaders to lead new groups all over the U.S. We currently have an online group and two live groups meeting in the Bay Area of California.

New leaders must meet strict criteria for certification.

Resources for People Living with Chronic Pain & Illness

Suffering and Delight aims to provide free resources and tools for those living with chronic pain and illness. 

Here you’ll find articles, exercises and recommended resources for managing your condition.

Depression and Isolation: Living with Chronic Pain

 

I incurred a back injury over twenty years ago that left me with permanent nerve damage and pain that will never go away. I had to learn how to relate to my moments differently and how to focus my mind at will. Otherwise, to this day, pain can overwhelm me and land me in unbearable suffering. In addition to my physical chronic conditions, I have also suffered from depression and anxiety throughout my adult life. The teachings Darlene developed due to her own crushing pain have made my life possible and so I offer them to others.

 

No doubt if you’re reading this you or someone you love is living with chronic pain. You may see your life shrinking, friends dropping off, more challenges with working, lots of self-judgment and blame, and a host of other debilitating effects of pain that lasts. Maybe doctors can’t explain your pain and you are living with uncertainty about the future. Suffering and Delight can help.

 

If you have pain that will never go away, please contact a group leader join S&D. You’ll be glad ​you did.
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For more information: info@sufferinganddelight.org.