Wikipedia will tell you that it is pain and unpleasantness. But that is too shallow. That isn't true suffering. To me, suffering is when thoughts start causing physical pain. When the prospect of death seems like the only escape. But sometimes not even death can stop suffering.
I've been thinking about this a lot. What is the nature, the purpose of suffering. And then, it hit me. Maybe the lack of a purpose is the problem? It is easier to take pain when we know when it will end, or when we know that it is a pain of healing. But when it is a destructive pain, or suffering without a purpose, then it is true suffering. Pain for the sake of pain, where nothing is gained and everything is lost. Is that the nature of suffering? I don't know. I can't say that I experienced true suffering on that level. I don't think anyone has. Or at least they haven't lived long enough to tell the tale.
Is being stuck upside down in a cave until you slowly die, knowing nobody will come to rescue you true suffering? Is being a victim of a terrible crime and not being able to ever get justice for it true suffering? Or is it something simpler?
I was never good with words. So please don't blame me if I can't fully define it. That is exactly why I ask this question. I invite you all to discuss the essence and the nature of suffering with me. I wish to understand.
DISCLAIMER: This is a philosophical question. Nothing more, nothing less.
Physical pain is a signal in your brain telling you to stay away from electricity, sharp objects, and fire etc. It also tells you when something important for survival is absent like food leading to hunger headaches.
So basically all physical pain is caused by you (the brain) being attached to survival.
Physical pain has a huge emotional component. That's why we can train pain tolerance. Placebos and holding a loved one is sometimes as effective as morphine in reducing pain.
So all in all suffering is due to attachment. If you let go of the attachment by training your mind you can end suffering.
Are we mixing philosophy and biology? Because this way we can explain all emotional states we experience. I do not disagree with this perspective, but I do not believe it is the whole truth. If we let go of all attachments in this perspective, we let go of life itself. And that is not a valid solution in my view. Since there are other ways to avoid suffering, I do not see attachment as the main cause of it. Attachment can actually alleviate suffering in some cases.
I am not sure I mixed in much philosophy. I gave a scientific explanation because most people prefer it.
We don't let go of life but our attachment to it. You train to watch it happen and end like a spectator. Then you won't feel a rush when good things happen which inevitably leads to a low (suffering) when they end. You will also accept the bad things beyond control without suffering.
You will be in a steady state of happiness and peace.
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You can't avoid losing everything you call yours—including your loved ones. You can't avoid sickness and death.