Wikipedia will tell you that it is pain and unpleasantness. But that is too shallow. That isn’t true suffering. To me, suffering is when thoughts start causing physical pain. When the prospect of death seems like the only escape. But sometimes not even death can stop suffering.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. What is the nature, the purpose of suffering. And then, it hit me. Maybe the lack of a purpose is the problem? It is easier to take pain when we know when it will end, or when we know that it is a pain of healing. But when it is a destructive pain, or suffering without a purpose, then it is true suffering. Pain for the sake of pain, where nothing is gained and everything is lost. Is that the nature of suffering? I don’t know. I can’t say that I experienced true suffering on that level. I don’t think anyone has. Or at least they haven’t lived long enough to tell the tale.

Is being stuck upside down in a cave until you slowly die, knowing nobody will come to rescue you true suffering? Is being a victim of a terrible crime and not being able to ever get justice for it true suffering? Or is it something simpler?

I was never good with words. So please don’t blame me if I can’t fully define it. That is exactly why I ask this question. I invite you all to discuss the essence and the nature of suffering with me. I wish to understand.

DISCLAIMER: This is a philosophical question. Nothing more, nothing less.

  • Young_Gilgamesh@lemmy.worldOP
    1·
    2 days ago

    Physical pain is not caused by attachment. It could be caused, for example, by electricity, or perhaps a sharp object. No attachment needed.

    And no, the physical body is not a form of attachment. It is a part of you just like the mind is. You literally cannot exist without some form of a body.

    And what about suffering due to desease? Like having a very bad fever dream. Where’s the attachment there?

    Do you get my perspective?

    • ash@piefed.caEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Physical pain is a signal in your brain telling you to stay away from electricity, sharp objects, and fire etc. It also tells you when something important for survival is absent like food leading to hunger headaches.

      So basically all physical pain is caused by you (the brain) being attached to survival.

      Physical pain has a huge emotional component. That’s why we can train pain tolerance. Placebos and holding a loved one is sometimes as effective as morphine in reducing pain.

      So all in all suffering is due to attachment. If you let go of the attachment by training your mind you can end suffering. That’s what Buddhism is all about.