Prayer not working

[Akincana Krishna dasa]

How is suffering attributable to a higher power? Suffering comes from the basic fact that we are alive. We are all born, we will all die. If we are lucky we'll grow old, only to watch our bodies betray us as they decay and move toward the inevitability of death. If we aren't lucky, we'll die in infancy or childhood or by some violent means. Life is suffering and pain... But there's also the flip side to that, life can be beautiful, moving, and awe-inspiring. There's no higher power involved.

When I say "higher power" I'm not talking about church, hocus pocus, fairy tale, stupid myth, asshole god, invisible, turn or burn, unprovable, unscientific, stupid Bible, whatever ideas. Please put that aside for one moment. I feel like that is a lot of noise that blocks people's perceptions of common, simple human experiences.

I'm pointing out a truth that anyone can practically experience.

You take it for granted that "suffering comes from the basic fact that we are alive." My question is - Where does that fact of life come from? What law of physics or chemistry or mathematics or whatever explains that? And, Why can't I do anything about it?

Especially in a godless universe, why can't I do - literally - whatever the hell I want? If there is nothing higher than me, that would kinda make me god, or something, right? So why am I built with desires and feelings and needs that are barely satisfied in this world?

I agree that we all suffer, many of us will get old and sick, and everyone dies. So I, as a subjective conscious entity, have been thrust into this situation... why? Why does that stuff have to happen to me? I don't want to suffer, but suffering comes. Why? I don't want to grow old, but it's happening. Why?

The answer is oh-so-simple: I'm not in control. My will means very very little. The universe is not out to serve me and my needs.

So who/what/where/when/why/how is in control?

I don't know - but it's definitely higher powers than me.

---

That "higher" power is reality - not your god.

Awesome, I love this answer. And I love how much you already know about it!

Please tell me everything you know about "reality."