Joy of Suffering

[Chaigidel]

Lets talk about the bright side of disease, death, torment and torture, cruelty and penitence -- I believe that suffering is something that one should strive to attain a healthy amount of during your course through this life; but I have been called at least lack luster in my philosophical estimations, regardless

discuss whatever benefits or greatness you can find in the worst kinds of misery , the slow death of your loved ones or the rapid brutalization of war, the ravages of disease , or the ravages of despair.



remember the life of brian.

[Thanatos]

Lets talk about the bright side of disease, death, torment and torture, cruelty and penitence -- I believe that suffering is something that one should strive to attain a healthy amount of during your course through this life; but I have been called at least lack luster in my philosophical estimations, regardless

discuss whatever benefits or greatness you can find in the worst kinds of misery , the slow death of your loved ones or the rapid brutalization of war, the ravages of disease , or the ravages of despair.



remember the life of brian.

Just because there is a silver lining to the darkest of clouds does not meant the clouds are to be sought after.

[Cato_Uticensis]

Suffering is what we learn from so that we have less of it to meet in the future.

[Thanatos]

Suffering is what we learn from so that we have less of it to meet in the future.

There is suffering, and then there is suffering. The latter should never be required, and it is a sad day in which humanity must endure it.

[Cato_Uticensis]

There is suffering, and then there is suffering. The latter should never be required, and it is a sad day in which humanity must endure it.

Of course nobody should endure suffering, but neither should people endure suffering. Just because bad things can produce a good result does not make them good. Suffering is bad for man, and it should be avoided. That being said, it is a fact of nature that suffering will occur, as will suffering . Thus we should realize that bad things will happen. Our only choice when presented with suffering is to realize that this bad thing is something that can be overcome, and something that hopefully in the future can be prevented.

[Thanatos]

Of course nobody should endure suffering, but neither should people endure suffering. Just because bad things can produce a good result does not make them good. Suffering is bad for man, and it should be avoided. That being said, it is a fact of nature that suffering will occur, as will suffering . Thus we should realize that bad things will happen. Our only choice when presented with suffering is to realize that this bad thing is something that can be overcome, and something that hopefully in the future can be prevented.

Yes, but a little bit of stress is good for you though, not really arguing or anything.

[Cato_Uticensis]

Yes, but a little bit of stress is good for you though, not really arguing or anything.

Indeed. That is why in psychology they call it "Optimum Anxiety", which keeps us from being zombies .

[Desperado †]

Suffering is what we learn from so that we have less of it to meet in the future.

Yes, but what about dead-end situations? Imagine living in Burma. Or The Third World. Suffering should only be endured so that we may end it. For instance, I would be more than willing to force Bill Gates to starve for a week or so, or live in a Third World scenario, simply so he'd know how they feel.

Now, suffering of unfair justice and wars and such aside, I think that personal suffering, that only effects you, might help yourself in some amounts. And I'm talking very small amounts, like perhaps living without a computer, or being a hermit and such. I think you may find your true self that way, and realise the suffering of others, and the vanity of certain material things.

[dwringer]

But without suffering people tend to forget why it's so important to avoid it, and how to effectively do so.

Look at all the threads talking about how stupid NATO and/or the UN are, for example. Or the ones advocating genocide (looking in the Balkans' general direction )



Dunno if anybody ever read Dune, but in the fourth novel (kind of an epilogue to the trilogy) that's kind of the main point (and vicariously the main point of all the Dune novels)

[Thanatos]

But without suffering people tend to forget why it's so important to avoid it, and how to effectively do so.

Look at all the threads talking about how stupid NATO and/or the UN are, for example. Or the ones advocating genocide (looking in the Balkans' general direction )

Look, what you're saying is completely true, but what I'm saying is that it shouldn't be something you look forward to. I'm not discounting the educational value of suffering by any means.

[dwringer]

I didn't say it should be looked forward to. You said

The latter should never be required

And I don't know if that's true on a global scale

[except as an ideal that is]

[Thanatos]

I didn't say it should be looked forward to. You said



And I don't know if that's true on a global scale

[except as an ideal that is]

Just saying that it's sad that we live in a world where peace and happiness are the exceptions, not the norm.

[dwringer]

Just saying that it's sad that we live in a world where peace and happiness are the exceptions, not the norm.

Well, no arguments from me on that


On a side note, I have always found that when I'm depressed or something I actually enjoy sad music , when normally I much prefer upbeat/happy music. I think that's an interesting aspect of suffering. Kind of how crying feels better, it's cathartic in a way.

[Thanatos]

Well, no arguments from me on that


On a side note, I have always found that when I'm depressed or something I actually enjoy sad music , when normally I much prefer upbeat/happy music. I think that's an interesting aspect of suffering. Kind of how crying feels better, it's cathartic in a way.

Sadness craves empathy.

[Kiljaden]

Pain feels better than itching.

[Kiljaden]

I think Brovil's got it. +rep

[The Colonel]

Have we honestly run out of topics here in the Ethores Et Monastica? Well, the only thing I like about suffering, is that if i can get back up afterwards, im stronger for it, and can share my expeirence about it with others and help them avoid what i went through.

[Chaigidel]

life is suffering, if you do not desire it you do not desire life.

[Thanatos]

life is suffering, if you do not desire it you do not desire life.

Life is also the happiness we find in it as well. The resolution to conquer our fears in a world full of tears.

[Chaigidel]

and you can only find that divine peace when made to kneel before the altar of your damnation.

Life is many things, but I advise a study of the natural world to understand how inherent and absolute the agony of the flesh is.--

to know the truth suffering does not exist, to suffer is to dance at the feet of your Lord; but from the common point, I say disease, death, pain and all misery are divine gifts morsels to be enjoyed like any fine wine or treasured moment of peace.

but you then agree that this world is one "full of tears" ?

there is nothing to fear, one should enjoy his fear whilst he can.