Why do we suffer, and what is suffering ?

Originally posted by Atlantis001
So suffering is associated to need or to want something. Then perhaps the right question would be why do we want things ? Why do we have needs ?

According to Buddhism, Samsara is the state of birth and rebirth, due to a force called Desire.

Desire is what keeps us stuck in Samsara (life, suffering, and disunity from each other), and away from Nirvana (unity, completion, happiness)

Originally posted by Atlantis001
I think we need and want things because we are looking for happiness in those things, and this would mean that suffering is a necessary consequence of wanting and seeking happiness. Maybe we should stop looking for it, but talk is easier than doing it.

Did you read Shakymunison's articles about the Ten Worlds?

It gives great insight for this question.....

Originally posted by Atlantis001
Anything is better than to have to live with a limited and conditioned happiness.

That's because happiness achieved for one's self will always be limitted and conditioned.

True Happiness, according to Buddhism, can only be achieved by the relinquishment of self desire, and by aiming to make all others happy and loved.

In the end I noticed that what I said was basically the same thing that buddhism says. But interesting that I wasn´t thinking about it and I ended up by reaching the same conclusions.

And about that limited happiness, I think it is just the ego happiness and that why its limited. Perhaps life exist so we can perceive that no true happiness can exist by looking for the happiness of the ego.

Originally posted by debbiejo
Great question. It is odd how many people can suffer the same mental or physical abuse, but some are stronger than it and others are not. Example: Some who are sexually abused will do the same to others. Others who are sexually abused will have empathy for others and not do it. So actually I am not sure I can answer that question...

Some are more powerful than others or more resilient in pain and suffering but ultimately pain is pain. Life is unfair and because we all start at different social levels, for some its worse than others