Definition Essay: The Three Different Types Of Suffering

Imagine a life with no suffering. No one would live with disease, nor would our loved ones die. Every day would be comfortable and carefree. There would be no heartbreak or broken bones, and no headaches or distress. Hugs and smiles would be in abundance, while fists and tears would be of few. A life without suffering sounds great; however, it is far from it. In the words of Kahlil Gibran, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” Just as life would mean nothing without death, serenity would mean nothing without suffering.

Suffering is referred to as an unpleasant sensation. Merriam-Webster defines suffering as an intransitive verb with three different meanings. A physical state of suffering is defined as someone enduring pain, distress, or death. Another way suffering is defined relates more to the emotional state of mind: to undergo loss or damage. The final way

Losing someone you love is the most common cause of suffering emotionally―such as the loss of a grandparent, parent, child, close friend or spouse. When you suffer emotionally it can also be caused by guilt, jealousy, embarrassment, betrayal, or stress. Traumatic events, like rape or a shooting, can cause this type of suffering as well. Suffering emotionally can feel like the heart being torn right out of the chest; it can feel like walking around with a fifty-pound weight on the back. Physical suffering and emotional suffering ultimately have the same aspiration—to cause pain. Emotional suffering can sting like a bee, hurt like a burn, or damage like a tornado. Unlike physical suffering, emotional suffering cannot be healed by our own body; the healing process for emotional suffering is much less distinct. Neither physical nor emotional suffering is something that can be seen. Blood and tears may indicate physical suffering, but emotional suffering cannot be identified in this