Article | October 5, 1988
Sadhguru: Each day, individuals generate their own anguish—experiencing emotions like anger, fear, hatred, jealousy, insecurity, and countless others. This inner turmoil constitutes the greatest portion of suffering in the world. Most of the Physical suffering comes from mental suffering. Continuous mental suffering creates major Physical suffering like Cancer, Arthritis, Insomnia, Gastroenteritis, Heart Problems and many more. Continuous mental suffering creates low immune power.
The Mechanics of Human Suffering is a deep dive into the Human Condition. Suffering is an inherent part of the human experience. From the moment we are born, we begin to encounter suffering in one form or another—physical pain, emotional anguish, mental distress, and even existential disquiet. While suffering may seem to be an inevitable part of life, understanding its mechanics can offer us insight into why we suffer, how suffering shapes our lives, and whether or not we can transcend it.
In this article, we will explore the many layers of human suffering, examining its origins, psychological effects, spiritual interpretations, and potential pathways to freedom. We will also delve into the wisdom of ancient spiritual traditions, modern psychology, and philosophy to provide a comprehensive view of suffering and how we can navigate it.
Understanding the Origins of Human Suffering
Human suffering can be broken down into several broad categories: physical suffering, emotional suffering, mental suffering, and existential suffering. These forms of suffering may be interconnected and can arise from a variety of sources. To understand the mechanics of suffering, we must first explore where it comes from.
#1. Physical Suffering
Physical suffering is perhaps the most immediately recognizable form of suffering. It encompasses pain and discomfort caused by illness, injury, ageing, and other physical ailments. The body, being a biological entity, is susceptible to decay, disease, and death. This physical vulnerability is a major cause of suffering for humans, and much of our effort as a species is devoted to mitigating or avoiding physical pain.
But physical suffering goes beyond just injury or illness. It can also be tied to the body’s unmet needs, such as hunger, thirst, or sleep deprivation. The body’s survival instinct is deeply wired to avoid suffering, and much of our behaviour is oriented around fulfilling these basic needs.
Yet, physical suffering is often exacerbated by the mind’s response to it. The fear of pain, the anxiety about an illness, or the dread of death can intensify the experience of physical suffering. In this way, physical suffering often leads to emotional and mental suffering, which we will explore next.
#2. Emotional Suffering
Emotional suffering refers to the pain that arises from unfulfilled desires, broken relationships, loss, or trauma. Emotions like sadness, grief, anger, frustration, and fear are natural responses to life’s challenges, but they can also become sources of long-lasting suffering when we are unable to process or let go of them.
Much of emotional suffering arises from attachment—the attachment to people, outcomes, identities, or material possessions. When our attachments are threatened or lost, we experience emotional pain. For instance, the death of a loved one can cause profound grief, which is the emotional response to the loss of someone we are deeply attached to. Similarly, a breakup or a failure to achieve a life goal can evoke intense feelings of sadness, disappointment, and regret.
Emotional suffering is further compounded by our tendency to cling to past experiences and project future anxieties. Instead of being present with our emotions, we often dwell on what has already happened or worry about what might happen. This habitual pattern of ruminating on the past and fearing the future intensifies emotional suffering and keeps us trapped in cycles of pain.
#3. Mental Suffering
Mental suffering is closely related to emotional suffering but is more rooted in the mind's thought patterns, beliefs, and perceptions. It includes anxiety, stress, worry, and other mental states that arise from the way we think about ourselves, others, and the world.
At the core of much mental suffering is identification with the mind. Humans tend to overly identify with their thoughts, mistaking them for reality. For example, negative self-talk—thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I will never succeed"—can create a deep sense of inadequacy and mental distress. Similarly, beliefs about how the world should be or how others should behave often lead to frustration and conflict when reality doesn’t align with our mental expectations.
Mental suffering can also arise from our inability to control our thoughts. The mind often races from one thought to another, dragging us into endless loops of worry, planning, and overthinking. This mental chatter can lead to stress and burnout, as the mind is never allowed to rest.
#4. Existential Suffering
Existential suffering, or existential angst, is a deeper, more profound type of suffering that relates to the human condition itself. It arises from the realization that life is fleeting, that death is inevitable, and that the search for meaning can often feel futile. Many individuals experience a sense of existential dread when they question the purpose of life, their place in the universe, and the nature of their own existence.
Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus explored existential suffering, often characterizing it as a fundamental part of the human experience. Camus, for instance, spoke of the "absurdity" of life—the recognition that life has no inherent meaning, and yet humans are driven to seek meaning in everything they do.
This search for meaning, combined with the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of death, can lead to profound existential suffering. However, existential suffering can also serve as a gateway to spiritual awakening or self-realization, as it forces individuals to confront the nature of their existence and seek deeper answers to life’s big questions.
The Psychological Mechanisms of Suffering
While the external circumstances of life often trigger suffering, the mind plays a significant role in perpetuating and amplifying it. To understand the mechanics of human suffering, we need to look at some of the psychological processes that contribute to it.
#1. The Role of Perception
Perception is the lens through which we view reality, and it plays a crucial role in shaping our experience of suffering. Two individuals may encounter the same external event—such as a job loss, for example—but their internal experience of that event can vary greatly depending on how they perceive it. One person may see the job loss as a devastating blow, while the other may view it as an opportunity for growth or change.
The way we perceive situations, events, and even other people can significantly affect our experience of suffering. Often, suffering arises not from the event itself but from our interpretation of the event. For instance, we may perceive a failure as a personal shortcoming, leading to feelings of shame and inadequacy. In contrast, another person may view failure as a natural part of the learning process and experience far less emotional suffering as a result.
This is why cognitive therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focus on changing negative thought patterns and perceptions to alleviate mental suffering. By becoming aware of how our perceptions shape our reality, we can begin to reduce unnecessary suffering.
#2. The Role of Attachment
One of the central causes of human suffering is attachment. In Buddhist philosophy, attachment is considered one of the primary sources of suffering, as it binds us to desires and expectations that are ultimately transient and impermanent.
When we become attached to a particular outcome, a person, or an identity, we set ourselves up for suffering because life is in constant flux. Relationships end, material possessions break, and personal identities evolve. The more we cling to something, the more we suffer when that attachment is threatened or lost.
Attachment is also linked to the ego—our sense of self and identity. The ego seeks stability and permanence in a world that is inherently impermanent. This fundamental mismatch between the ego’s desires and the reality of life is a major source of suffering. By loosening the grip of attachment, we can begin to experience life with more ease and less resistance to change.
#3. The Role of Resistance
Another major contributor to suffering is resistance. Resistance is the mental, emotional, or physical pushback we create when we are unwilling to accept reality as it is. When we resist the present moment, we generate tension, frustration, and stress. Whether it is resisting an unpleasant emotion, a painful experience, or an inevitable change, this inner resistance prolongs and amplifies suffering.
The more we resist life’s challenges, the more suffering we create for ourselves. In contrast, when we practice acceptance or surrender, we allow ourselves to flow with life rather than against it. Acceptance doesn’t mean passive resignation; it means acknowledging reality without unnecessary mental or emotional struggle.
The Spiritual Perspective on Suffering
While psychology can offer valuable insights into the mind’s role in suffering, spiritual traditions provide a deeper understanding of suffering’s purpose and its potential transcendence.
#1. The Four Noble Truths
In Nath Yoga one of the most profound teachings on the nature of suffering through its Four Noble Truths:
The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Life is filled with suffering. From birth to death, humans experience various forms of pain, loss, and dissatisfaction.
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering: The cause of suffering is attachment, desire, and craving. Humans suffer because they cling to impermanent things—relationships, possessions, identities—and expect them to provide lasting happiness.
The Truth of the End of Suffering: It is possible to end suffering by letting go of attachment and desires.
The Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering: The way to end suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, right action, right mindfulness, and right meditation, among other practices.
Nath Yoga teachings emphasise that suffering is not an inevitable part of life but rather a condition created by the mind. By cultivating awareness and practising detachment, individuals can break free from the cycle of suffering and attain mukti, or salvation from suffering.
2. Action and Result based Suffering
Suffering is often seen as the result of your action—the law of cause and effect. Karma is not a system of reward and punishment but rather the natural consequence of one’s actions and additionally, more thoughts related to the consequences of the action.
However, Tantra also provides a path to transcend suffering through self-realization and spiritual practices. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that one can achieve inner peace and freedom from suffering by performing duties without attachment to the outcome—a key principle of Karma Yoga. The essence of this teaching is that a person should avoid dwelling on the results of their actions. This is what I used to tell result-based thinking.
Additionally, Tantra teaches that suffering is a product of ignorance—specifically, ignorance of one’s true nature as Atman, the eternal soul. The ultimate solution to suffering, therefore, lies in realizing the oneness of the self with the divine (Brahman). When one attains this realisation, suffering dissolves because the individual no longer identifies with the transient body and mind but with the eternal, unchanging self.
In this context, if a person undergoes initiation into the ancient and secret Supramental sadhana of Nigam Tantra, their life can transform rapidly.
The initiation into the ancient and secret Supramental sadhana of Nigam Tantra is a transformative practice that can bring rapid and profound change in a person's life. Rooted in the esoteric teachings of Tantra, this sadhana aims to awaken higher consciousness and elevate the practitioner beyond the limitations of the mind and body. Unlike ordinary spiritual practices, the Supramental sadhana taps into the supramental plane, a state of consciousness that transcends the mental and intellectual realms. This level of practice enables one to access deeper truths, divine energy, and spiritual powers.
Through initiation, a practitioner is guided into powerful techniques that harmonise the body, mind, and spirit, allowing for rapid spiritual evolution. The Nigam Tantra emphasises both knowledge (jnana) and experiential wisdom, combining ancient and secret traditions with Tantric practices. As the individual progresses, they begin to shed ego-based attachments, negative emotions, and mental suffering, experiencing a higher state of being that is in tune with the cosmic flow.
This initiation into Supramental sadhana can lead to a dramatic shift in perception, inner peace, and a sense of unity with the divine, fostering a rapid and holistic transformation in the practitioner’s life.
Transcending Suffering: Pathways to Freedom
While suffering is an unavoidable part of life, it is not necessarily a permanent state. Many spiritual and philosophical traditions offer pathways to transcend suffering or at least reduce its intensity. These pathways involve shifts in perception, changes in behaviour, and deep inner work.
#1. Mindfulness and Meditation
One of the most effective tools for reducing suffering is the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment to thoughts and emotions. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can begin to observe their suffering without becoming entangled in it.
Meditation practices, such as Triya Sadhana or Trayambak meditation, encourage practitioners to observe the impermanent nature of thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Through this practice, one can develop a sense of detachment and equanimity, which helps to reduce suffering.
#2. Acceptance and Surrender
Acceptance is a powerful antidote to suffering. When we accept life as it is—without resistance or judgment—we release much of the mental and emotional struggle that perpetuates suffering. Acceptance does not mean passivity; it means embracing reality with openness and understanding that some things are beyond our control.
Many spiritual teacher speaks of surrender as a state of allowing life to unfold without unnecessary resistance. Surrender is not giving up but rather trusting the flow of life and relinquishing the ego’s need to control outcomes.
#3. Self-Inquiry and Realisation
Many spiritual paths encourage individuals to engage in self-inquiry to discover the true nature of the self. By asking questions like “Who am I?” or “What is the source of this suffering?” one can begin to unravel the layers of ego and identification that contribute to suffering.
In the Advaita Philosophy of Tantra where Swadhay is a very important factor, for example, self-inquiry leads to the realization that the individual self (Atman) is not separate from the universal consciousness (Brahman). This realization of oneness can dissolve the sense of separateness and the ego’s attachment to suffering.
#4. Compassion and Loving-Kindness
Compassion is another powerful way to transcend suffering. When we cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, we create a space of understanding and empathy that can alleviate emotional and mental suffering. Loving-kindness meditation, practised in Nath Yoga, involves sending love and compassion to oneself and all beings, which fosters a sense of interconnectedness and reduces the sense of isolation that often accompanies suffering.
A Journey Through Suffering to Liberation
The mechanics of human suffering are complex and multifaceted, encompassing physical, emotional, mental, and existential dimensions. While suffering is an inevitable part of the human condition, it is not something we are condemned to endure indefinitely. By understanding the root causes of suffering—attachment, resistance, perception, and identification with the ego—we can begin to transcend it.
The most ancient Spiritual tradition is Tantra which offers profound insights into the nature of suffering and provides practical tools for its alleviation, whether through mindfulness, self-inquiry, compassion, or surrender. Ultimately, the journey through suffering is also a journey toward self-realisation, as we come to recognize that much of our suffering arises from ignorance of our true nature.
While suffering may be a universal experience, freedom from suffering is also within our reach. By embracing life as it is, cultivating inner awareness, and letting go of attachment, we can move toward a state of inner peace and liberation—a state where suffering no longer defines us but instead becomes a catalyst for growth, transformation, and spiritual awakening.
