Ending Suffering for Good

(written April 27, 2019)

All of us in this material nature are suffering. Infact, the biggest problem of the human life is suffering. So why do we suffer? To understand why we suffer, we must understand how we suffer. We suffer when we falsely identify with our body and material attachments, or in other words, when we identify with something that is not our soul. Our soul is our true identity, not the body. Due to our false and temporary attachments, we get affected and thus suffer, under the modes of material nature. The dictionary definition of suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Hence, if we keep material designations, we will constantly suffer. Ravana was great example of one who suffered. Ravana had many material designations; he was proud of defeating the demigods and was attached to his position. Due to his immense attachment, Ravana was defeated by Lord Rama, thus suffering.

So how do we end this horrible suffering? The main idea is that we understand our true position. As said before, we suffer by falsely identifying ourselves. Hence, if we are learned in art of understanding our position, we will transcend the modes of material nature and will end our suffering. However, one will be deviated or misdirected, by speculating and trying to learn this art by themselves. In Bhagavad Gita, 14.19 Srila Prabhupada says in the purport that… “By the instruction of a bonafide spiritual master, a living entity can know of his spiritual position, his material body, his sense, how he is entrapped, and how he is under the spell of the material modes of nature.” Hence we can only learn to get out of suffering by those who are in full consciousness of Krishna.

Additionally, to engage in an uninterrupted spiritual life, one must end their suffering. This means that spiritual life is only an imagination unless one had transcended the modes. This is why people who are in Krishna consciousness do not suffer. In Bhagavad Gita 14.20, Srila Prabhupada says, “When one is freed from the influence of the modes of material nature, he enters into devotional service. In other words, devotional service in Krishna consciousness is the sign of liberation from material entanglement…”

Hence for us to stay in the transcendental position, we must understand our position in relation to the Absolute Truth, end our suffering, and maintain a spiritual lifestyle.