Suffering and Knowing Suffering

We all go through suffering. This isn't a moral judgment, but a basic fact of being human. The Buddha clearly described it: beginnings, ageing, illness, and death; not getting what we want; being separated from loved ones; and facing difficult people and situations. Even more fundamentally, the very framework of our experience, including our bodies, feelings, perceptions, mental patterns, and awareness, shows signs of suffering when examined. These are not abstract concepts but everyday realities. Life brings us loss, frustration, and vulnerability.

And when suffering occurs, our instinctive response is often to look outward. We search for someone or something to blame. We believe that if we could only improve external conditions, such as our job, house, or relationship, then the pain would finally subside.

It’s not entirely wrong. External factors do matter. But suffering is seldom solely about them.