On Suffering

“Nothing is more gall-bitter than suffering, nothing more honey-sweet than having suffered. Nothing disfigures the body before men like suffering, and nothing beautifies the soul before God like having suffered.”

Meister Eckhart, OP

Suffering is often regarded as a thing to be avoided; comfort or pleasure, on the other hand, are more agreeable. Nothing about these statements should be particularly shocking.

As human beings, we generally prefer conditions that are comfortable to ones that induce suffering, from an “instinctual” and practical point-of-view. Radiant warmth is preferred to bitter cold, satiation is preferred to pangs of hunger.

Nonetheless, we encounter suffering in its many forms during our lifetimes. Loss, decay, disease, discomfort, destruction, rejection, loneliness, betrayal, and all its other faces. Suffering is unavoidable – I’d add it as an addendum to Benjamin Franklin’s “death and taxes” assertion.

Many people spend their lives running from suffering; I’ve been one of them. Dreams of something greater, something more than “this.” Many turn to vices, to the pursuit of material gain or pleasure, in hope of salvation. A point where they finally “make it.”

A point where Nirvana takes the place of Samsara.

A point where the suffering ends.

The reality is that suffering can’t be outrun; it can’t be bargained with. Vice and pleasure only briefly dull its edge. It can only be accepted. To resist or deny suffering is simply to prolong it.

Consider, for a moment, a person in your life who constantly avoids suffering. Someone who shrinks at the sight of a challenge, who turns to creature comforts at every opportunity. Who relishes perceived “safety,’ predictability, and laziness. Does that person experience any sort of lasting comfort at all? No.

Their efforts to avoid suffering only increase its duration and magnitude. The same intoxicants that soothe them also poison them. Mindless pleasure invariably turns to pain, with nothing to show for it. The pleasure-seeker, after his momentary high, ultimately must turn and face the reaper. Suffering is patient – it’ll wait.

The problem of suffering, if you want to call it that, has vexed man from time immemorial. Despite the perennial nature of suffering, some progress has been made by mankind in approaching and confronting it.

I don’t claim to have “the answer” to suffering – but, I believe that it can be understood to varying degrees.

Here’s a brief summary of my beliefs about suffering:

I don’t believe that suffering can be “ended” by pleasure or outward achievement.

I don’t believe that suffering can be “ended” by selfishness, fear, or withdrawal.

I don’t believe that physical, worldly suffering can be entirely avoided.

I do believe that there is an end to unnecessary suffering – in the “inner” sense.

I do believe that suffering, oftentimes, is valuable – wisdom, self-knowledge, and compassion are products of suffering.

I do believe that suffering and mindless pleasure-seeking are intrinsically linked.

I do believe that the “end” of psychospiritual suffering is found within us – worldly conditions or achievement cannot bring it about.

I do believe that physical training, contemplation, meditation, faith, and prayer are tools to devitalize suffering.

I recognize that I’m describing a mammoth fixture of the human condition, one that is far beyond my comprehension.

In writing this, I hope that you consider three things:

One, you are not alone in your suffering, and no form of suffering is entirely unique to you.

Two, you can take steps to confront suffering on your own terms. Sharpen your mind, harden your body, and soften your heart; this can provide you with the tools that you need to move upward and onward.

Three, remember that worldly suffering is temporal; ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Seeking something that is eternal – God, absolute Truth, spiritual love, selfless service, commitment to higher ideals – can help to insulate you from the buffeting torrents of the world.

Lastly, realize that without the potential for danger and suffering, life would be meaningless. Nothing would be known but stagnation and crystallization. Without the potential for suffering, there is no potential for change, no potential for evolution, no potential for life.

I encourage you to see suffering for what it often is: as an opportunity, as a teacher, and as proof of life.

Go forth and turn lead into gold.