On Suffering:

[MeltingHeart]

I appreciate this description of what it is to suffer, by renown doctor, social worker and phyician Cicely Saunders noted for being the founder of Hospice care.

Whilt she may be referring to the suffering she encountered whilst working in the field of palliative care, I think the sentiments expressed could be applied to those enduring suffering in other circumstances:

"Suffering is a multiheaded beast. So what is suffering? Well, suffering, there's a lot of different ways to define it. Cicely Saunders, the grandmother of hospice work, she called it "total pain." That [it has] a physical component, a psychological and emotional component, a spiritual component. It's a multiheaded entity. One might say it affects how you see yourself. It affects your identity. I've come to understand suffering as a wedge — a gap that opens up in you. The gap between the world you have and the world you want. So, it gets at your desire, it gets at your longing, it gets at what you're lacking."

Just highlighted some bits I relate to. I think it interesting as it understands it is not only a physical aspect (or maybe none at all) or pain that can cause suffering, nor even simply having a mental health issue, but rather it is a composite of many different negative factors; feelings, experiences and situtaions that collide and result in the totality of feeling suffering. This is why the issues surrounding suicide are so complex and multifarious, there are so many factors to consider-its not always one single & clear reason why-and as such not always irrational and/or an impulsive thought stemming from an unsound mind!...there is so much more to it than that.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

True suffering is definitely a multifaceted beast. It only comes along in ones life through multiple negative encounters or incidents. They tend to combine, like death by 1,000 cuts.

It's definitely a toll on the body, mind, situation, and soul. It's usually irrevocable and irreversible. Once you truly reach this point of being there is usually little to no hope of reversing it.

 

[c824767]

True suffering is when we are uncomfortable 24/7, no one supports us and we cannot see our way to a dignified situation.

 

[MeltingHeart]

True suffering is definitely a multifaceted beast. It only comes along in ones life through multiple negative encounters or incidents. They tend to combine, like death by 1,000 cuts.

It's definitely a toll on the body, mind, situation, and soul. It's usually irrevocable and irreversible. Once you truly reach this point of being there is usually little to no hope of reversing it.

Yeah this idea of the suffering of the soul is something i can realllly relate too aswell & the other components she mentioned; psychological and spiritual...like i dont believe I have a mental illness in the accepted clinical sense (though as I have discovered many people catergorically believe you must have one if you want to ctb), sure I am certainly very emotionally f**cked up, distressed and 'disturbed' even. But i think to put it down to a mental health issue is in my opinion far to simplistic and belies the fact that we are more complex creatures than that-its not just about not fitting into the generally accepted state of 'mental wellness', I dont even think i have what most people would call depression-rather i feel like i have transceneded it-its more than that-it runs deeper than that is so many ways, so many factors and like you said 'death by 1'000 cuts' - too much hurt over too long a period of time.

 

[BrokenAngel8]

Suffering is a complex entity manifested in different aspect in my life and overtime not only it merge with my identity; it consume and replace "me" altogether. There are limit to how much pain one can bear and when it reoccur too many times, in more intense way each time, suffering is just living with the death until the actual death arrives.

 

[jgm63]

Just my opinion :
I don't think it does any good to analyse things such as this.
If suffering is occuring, then it's a direct experience, it is what it is.
Trying to analyse it is just the human mind trying to understand what can't be understood.
Instead, it's better just to BE the suffering.
Perhaps then it might pass or lead somewhere.
Although it's no fun (to put it mildly), there is likely a spiritual process taking place.
You might be "paying your way" onto a better future state to come, even if that future state might be after your human form has gone...

 

[MeltingHeart]

Just my opinion :
I don't think it does any good to analyse things such as this.
If suffering is occuring, then it's a direct experience, it is what it is.
Trying to analyse it is just the human mind trying to understand what can't be understood.
Instead, it's better just to BE the suffering.
Perhaps then it might pass or lead somewhere.
Although it's no fun (to put it mildly), there is likely a spiritual process taking place.
You might be "paying your way" onto a better future state to come, even if that future state might be after your human form has gone...

yeah I get what u mean about just BE it..not really analysing though, so much as I just take some small comfort in words that have been written by others out there in the world that really resonate with me & reflect much of how I view my own state of being (mind?) just now. It is how I have tried to explain it to people (I have realised now this is a futile exercise-& which I have stopped trying to do)...but to them it seems to make no sense...they can not or will not even try to understand my stance, so it is reassuring for me to read things that in my mind give clarity to my reasons for wanting to ctb, that they can & do make sense & are valid too...its nice to know someone might understand it, as those around me don't...i am trying to make peace with myself...unravel some complex emotions by reading such texts that mirror how I feel. Trying to find some moments of calm & insight, some sense of resolution, not to mention just killing time...till I take that leap into the unknown!

 

[jgm63]

yeah I get what u mean about just BE it..not really analysing though, so much as I just take some small comfort in words that have been written by others out there in the world that really resonate with me & reflect much of how I view my own state of being (mind?) just now. It is how I have tried to explain it to people (I have realised now this is a futile exercise-& which I have stopped trying to do)...but to them it seems to make no sense...they can not or will not even try to understand my stance, so it is reassuring for me to read things that in my mind give clarity to my reasons for wanting to ctb, that they can & do make sense & are valid too...its nice to know someone might understand it, as those around me don't...i am trying to make peace with myself...unravel some complex emotions by reading such texts that mirror how I feel. Trying to find some moments of calm & insight, some sense of resolution, not to mention just killing time...till I take that leap into the unknown!

I understand, although I think those things could be a distraction from the act of simply being the pain, which could be where the greatest transformation might come from. Trying to do things that ease the pain might be a mistake because perhaps the only way is "through".

Anyhow, just stating my view of course....

 

[MeltingHeart]

I understand, although I think those things could be a distraction from the act of simply being the pain, which could be where the greatest transformation might come from. Trying to do things that ease the pain might be a mistake because perhaps the only way is "through".

Anyhow, just stating my view of course....

Im definitely 'being' the pain too! simultaneously as thinking about it I guess. Its always good to hear others views and opinions...thats why I kicking about on here i supppose. thks 4 yr insights too.

 

[c824767]

Yeah this idea of the suffering of the soul is something i can realllly relate too aswell & the other components she mentioned; psychological and spiritual...like i dont believe I have a mental illness in the accepted clinical sense (though as I have discovered many people catergorically believe you must have one if you want to ctb), sure I am certainly very emotionally f**cked up, distressed and 'disturbed' even. But i think to put it down to a mental health issue is in my opinion far to simplistic and belies the fact that we are more complex creatures than that-its not just about not fitting into the generally accepted state of 'mental wellness', I dont even think i have what most people would call depression-rather i feel like i have transceneded it-its more than that-it runs deeper than that is so many ways, so many factors and like you said 'death by 1'000 cuts' - too much hurt over too long a period of time.

maybe your brain is just inflamed. Try some nerve sheathing supplements, evening primrose oil comes to mind.

 

[MeltingHeart]

maybe your brain is just inflamed. Try some nerve sheathing supplements, evening primrose oil comes to mind.

ha, u kidding?? I think it would take alot more than evening primrose oil at this stage! (ive taken it for years)... I know alot about supplements, vitamins, alternative therapy, nutrition, yoga, meditation, exercise, positive psychology (not to be confused with postitive thinking) have read loads on all and used/ practised these things for most of my life!!...still hasnt stopped me wanting to end my life...oh well I tried...but thnku for the suggestion anyway...im just pretty much certain in my resolve now...just killing time at the mo.