Suffering can exist only in our minds. It cannot exist outside of it. We know that people suffer differently under identical circumstances because of their beliefs, conditioning, attitudes and thinking. Even physical pain is experienced mentally and cannot exist outside the domain of our minds. Hinduism rightly views suffering as a product of our delusional thinking arising out of our limiting knowledge, mistaken identity and egoistic thinking. We suffer because of the way we think and act, the way we look at things, interpret our experiences, respond to them in a particular manner and form opinions about them. Over a period of time our thinking and attitude towards suffering develops into a familiar pattern, so much so that we learn to accept it as natural and integral to our personalities. Scientific experiments prove that we can learn to deal with our suffering in effective ways through practice and that we all can potentially increase our threshold of tolerance to physical and mental pain by changing our thinking and the way we respond to it.

Suffering is self-created

Suffering arises out of our actions, inactions, reactions, thinking, conditioning, desires, attachment, beliefs, attitudes and associations. Neither God nor others are responsible for it. Others may play a role in it or seem to cause it or contribute to it, but in a script written by ourselves only. As the Buddhists vouch, we suffer when we do not get something we want, when we get something we do not want, when we get something more than we want or when we get something less than what we desire, when we are brought into contact with what we dislike or taken away from something we like, when we identify ourselves with some one suffering, when we are envious of someone who is happy and so on. Some of the suffering may seem to be caused by extraneous factors and unintended. But the fact is all suffering arises out of our actions, thoughts and beliefs. Through our actions and inactions, we punish and reward ourselves. We suffer when we disobey the natural and divine laws of the universe or go against its rhythm and order. This is the law of karma.

Suffering may serve as a teacher

Suffering comes to us because of our inner imperfections, inappropriate actions and reactions. It is a gift of God, delivered in a negative and dark package, with a hidden message, very much like a practical cruel joke played upon us, to warn us well in advance that we are either on the wrong path or moving in the direction. In essence this is what it is. Its aim is to make us complete and perfect and guide us on the righteous path that leads to our salvation , by removing the excesses in our thinking, perception, attitudes, desires, beliefs and actions and opening our eyes to new possibilities and the divine nature of our existence. Our suffering is mitigated to the extent we learn from it and correct ourselves. Those who understand suffering regard it as such and learn from it. There is a tendency in some schools of thought to consider suffering as a necessary precondition to one's liberation. So they recommend severe penances and austerities, including physical mortification to intensify suffering. While we are not sure how far their methods are effective, we can tell from experience that if we intensify our own suffering as if it is a virtue, without ever trying to learn from it consciously, we will lose the zest for living and our resilience to face the challenges of life. It is like stretching an elastic string till it loses its elasticity. In Hinduism any extreme form of spiritual practice is considered demonic, because demons have the tendency to perform severe austerities and inflict pain upon themselves, as an egoistic show of strength and self-control, to please God and obtain boons from Him.

Suffering can be overcome

The good news is suffering is ephemeral and does not last long. Through effort we can deliver ourselves from it. You can deal with suffering either on a short term basis or on a long term basis. The choice is yours. In materialistic world we have to deal with our problems as they arise and keep on doing it. It is a never ending process. In materialistic world we tend to deal with suffering by solving the major problems and challenges of our lives. This is the active and dynamic approach, the way of the warriors: never giving up, never withdrawing and never yielding, but accepting the challenges with courageous optimism and responding appropriately to each situation using necessary skills, knowledge, intelligence and talents. Some professions actually thrive on it. Their very business is to offer solutions to our various problems and mitigate or end our existential suffering. In the spiritual plane the aim is not to find temporary patches, but a permanent solution to the problem of suffering, so that one is delivered from it permanently and eternally. The basic approach recommended is to accept suffering for whatever value it has to offer, instead of fighting with it, and learn from it or become wise about it through a process of detachment, mindfulness and heightened awareness. This is the way of the saint and the sage, to transcend suffering by not resisting it or escaping from it or intensifying it, but by embracing it unconditionally and understanding it. In that awareness and understanding, we are told, suffering disappears without a trace.

Every religion intends to provide a long lasting solution to the problem of suffering. The Buddha proposed the Four Noble Truths of suffering and the Eight fold path. Lord Krishna suggested identification with real self, performing desireless actions with a sense of sacrifice and devotion to God accepting Him as the real doer and the ultimate goal would lead to the liberation of beings. Samkhya and Yoga prescribe physical and mental exercises to control and restraint of the body, the mind and the senses to free oneself from the afflictions (klesas) of human life. Jesus advised people to follow him unconditionally in order to deliver themselves from the quintessential problem of sinning against the divine law and suffering eternally in the hell. Islam advises people to submit to the will of God and respect his law in thought and action to qualify for an eternal life in which there is no suffering. In Sikhism we are advised to live with a spirit of devotion and surrender to God and doing good deeds. In Jainism we are advised to overcome the consequences of our actions by leading a pure life and performing austerities. Whatever may be the solutions these religions suggest, and their merits and demerits, they all confirm the one common truth that, if we try sincerely, we can escape from suffering.

Conclusion

Up to some stage in our lives, suffering is an obstacle. But when we have the awareness, it is also the means for a greater and everlasting life. Even when we are not aiming for spiritual salvation, but want to be successful in the material world, we can benefit from it by reading the messages it intends to deliver and adjusting ourselves accordingly. We can use suffering as a pointer to guide ourselves in the right direction. The very belief that we can overcome suffering in our own time is a potent force which can deliver us from suffering in unimaginable ways.

If you are on a wrong path, going for a wrong goal, performing actions inappropriately, making wrong choices or letting your imperfections prevail despite clear signals, suffering comes to you as a warning signal to make you aware of the need to change what needs to be changed. As you become aware of it and respond positively to it by making necessary adjustments to your personality or actions, your suffering begins to diminish. Those who refuse to take action will continue to suffer, perhaps more intensely, till good sense prevails and the required transformation takes place.

This is not a new theory. This is what the theory of karma is all about. So when suffering comes to us in its own quirky ways, look for the message it intends to deliver. If you find the message and act accordingly, your suffering will be gone soon. If you are unable to find a cause, seek the intervention of divine through prayers. Prayers can intuitively take you closer to the solutions you need to resolve your problems and the suffering that arises from them. Most important of all, your experiences are products of your awareness, thinking, attitude and beliefs. If you truly believe that you can learn from your suffering and thereby resolve it you will. If you live with the positive expectation that you are inherently strong enough to deal with your suffering in whatever form and shape it may come and thereby increase your wisdom and understanding, you will.

The Four Universal Truths About Suffering

Learning from suffering

Suffering is a state of mind

Suffering is self-created

Suffering may serve as a teacher

Suffering can be overcome

Conclusion

Suggested Further Reading