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Imagine the weight of a life defined by constant struggle and societal rejection. For many, such a life might seem insurmountable, a relentless tide of pain that engulfs all hope. Gauri Sawant, a transgender activist from Mumbai, embodies this harsh reality. Her journey, marred by severe personal and societal challenges, paints a stark picture of suffering. Yet, within this narrative of hardship lies a profound transformation.

Gauri’s life was once overshadowed by discrimination and violence, but she chose to redefine her suffering. Instead of succumbing to despair, she channelled her experiences into a compelling drive for change. By founding the “Sakhi Char Chowghi” organisation, she provided essential support and advocacy for the transgender community. Furthermore, her activism played a crucial role in the landmark NALSA case, which in 2014 affirmed the right of transgender individuals to self-identify and mandated legal recognition of their gender.

Gauri’s story vividly illustrates the core of the idea that “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Her journey demonstrates that through finding purpose in our pain, we not only foster personal resilience but also contribute to transformative societal change, making a profound impact on the lives of many.

Suffering: Its Acceptance and Finding Meaning of Life Within it

At first glance, the notion that suffering is inevitable in life may seem overly pessimistic. However, when we examine the world around us, it becomes evident that suffering, in various forms, is an intrinsic aspect of the human experience. Each person grapples with their own struggles, seeking to make sense of their existence amidst this persistent challenge. While some may succeed in finding meaning, others might not. Viktor Frankl, a prime example of someone who discovered profound meaning amidst extreme suffering, illuminates this concept through his own harrowing experiences.

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and esteemed psychiatrist, experienced profound suffering during his time in Nazi concentration camps. Yet, it was within these harrowing conditions that he discovered a deeper meaning in life, a journey he later detailed in his seminal work, Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl’s insights illustrate how, despite its harshness, suffering can be a catalyst for significant personal growth and resilience, embodying the notion that meaning can emerge from even the direst circumstances.

This perspective aligns with Existentialist philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Jean-Paul Sartre, who assert that suffering is an inherent aspect of human existence. Nietzsche’s assertion, “He who has a reason to live can bear almost any how,” highlights the crucial role of purpose in enduring suffering. Existentialists argue that individuals must confront their suffering, derive meaning from it, and thereby shape their own destinies.

The concept of deriving meaning from suffering also manifests in socio-cultural contexts. Different societies interpret and respond to suffering in unique ways, often through communal support. For instance, Malala Yousafzai transformed her personal suffering, stemming from being targeted by the Taliban, into a global movement advocating for girls’ education. Her statement, “I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard,” exemplifies how individuals can turn their struggles into a source of empowerment and change.

Suffering often serves as a powerful catalyst for resilience and post-traumatic growth, driving individuals to channel their experiences into meaningful contributions. The struggle and adversity faced during difficult times can motivate people to pursue new goals and make a broader impact. For instance, Lance Armstrong, after surviving a severe illness, transformed his personal ordeal into a mission by founding the Livestrong Foundation to support cancer survivors. His experience illustrates how personal suffering can inspire individuals to create significant societal change.

Similarly, in the field of science, suffering often serves as a catalyst for significant achievements and breakthroughs, pushing individuals to overcome obstacles and make impactful contributions. Adversity in various forms can drive people to persevere and excel, ultimately leading to transformative results. In the realm of science, for example, individuals who face severe challenges can produce groundbreaking work. Marie Curie, despite enduring personal and professional difficulties, including gender-based discrimination and personal loss, made pioneering discoveries in radioactivity. Her resilience in the face of such hardships underscores how suffering can stimulate extraordinary scientific advancements and enduring progress. 

Finding Meaning of Life Even Beyond Suffering

To survive is to find some meaning in the suffering. While many philosophies and worldviews argue against the necessity of suffering as a means to personal growth, there is a profound truth in the idea that enduring hardship often leads to a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. While schools of thought such as Hedonism and Utilitarianism suggest that life should focus on maximising pleasure and minimising pain, and that suffering is an obstacle to happiness, they overlook the fact that meaning can arise from adversity. Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism, for example, emphasises the greatest happiness for the greatest number, viewing suffering as a disruption to human well-being. While valid, this perspective doesn’t fully account for the personal growth and resilience that can stem from hardship.

Suffering, however, is a complex experience and, in many instances, can obstruct personal growth and achievement. Mental health issues like depression and anxiety, often triggered by persistent trauma and stress, hinder the pursuit of one’s potential. In cases of social injustices, such as racial discrimination and gender inequality, suffering is a consequence of human behaviour and entrenched biases. This form of suffering is not a natural occurrence, but a product of systemic failures that rob individuals of the opportunity to find meaning in their struggles.

For example, marginalised communities, such as transgender individuals in India, have long faced societal and institutional barriers that prevent them from accessing basic rights like education, healthcare, and employment. Their suffering, driven by discrimination and systemic inequality, shows how human actions can exacerbate suffering. Despite these challenges, some individuals within these communities have found meaning by advocating for social change and fighting for their rights, transforming their suffering into a powerful force for progress.

Similarly, the global environmental crisis presents another arena where suffering is both created and, in some cases, overcome. Communities affected by climate change, deforestation, and pollution often endure profound hardship as a result of human activities driven by corporate greed and unethical practices. The Amazon rainforest, for instance, has been devastated by illegal logging and land grabbing, causing immense suffering for indigenous communities. While this suffering is preventable and a result of unethical human decisions, those affected often find meaning by becoming stewards of their environment, advocating for sustainable practices, and fighting for justice, thus turning their suffering into a form of resilience and purpose.

War and conflict further illustrate how human actions cause immense suffering. Power struggles, political greed, and diplomatic failures lead to the loss of lives, displacement of millions, and widespread destruction. The suffering caused by conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis is not an inevitable consequence of life, but rather a result of poor human decisions. Yet, even in such dark times, individuals and communities have sought meaning through resilience, humanitarian efforts, and the pursuit of peace. By finding purpose in the midst of destruction, they transform their suffering into a path toward hope and restoration.

Ultimately, while suffering is often the result of human failings, it can also be an opportunity to find deeper meaning. It challenges individuals and societies to confront adversity and transform their pain into something more profound, whether through personal growth, social change, or environmental stewardship. The key to survival lies in not just enduring suffering, but in seeking out meaning amidst it, turning hardship into a source of strength and purpose.

Alleviating Suffering as the Way Forward

Though, in one way or another, suffering is an inevitable truth for most living beings, it is not the utmost truth. The meaning of life should be sought despite suffering and not because of it only. One way could be a deep understanding of one’s rights and capabilities. At every level, legal frameworks and social policies designed to protect rights play a crucial role in alleviating suffering. For example, the civil rights movement in the United States led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. emphasised the importance of understanding and fighting for equal rights. King’s leadership and his famous quote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” states the idea that awareness and advocacy for rights are essential in minimising suffering and achieving social justice.

The concept of minimising suffering extends beyond individual concerns to the collective good. The principle of Vasudeva Kutumbakam, which means “the world is one family,” emphasises the importance of collective well-being. By understanding and acting upon this principle, societies can work towards reducing suffering on a global scale. For example, international humanitarian efforts like those by the United Nations aim to address global issues such as poverty and conflict, reflecting the collective responsibility to alleviate suffering.

Understanding one’s capabilities also involves recognizing the responsibility to help others. The story of the Grameen Bank founded by Muhammad Yunus in 1983 exemplifies how leveraging one’s capabilities for the collective good can alleviate suffering. (Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006 for their work to “create economic and social development from below”. Grameen Bank’s objective since its establishment in 1983 has been to grant poor people small loans on easy terms – so-called micro-credit). On a personal level, understanding and utilising one’s capabilities can lead to meaningful change and reduced suffering. Maya Angelou said, “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their colour.”

While suffering is an unavoidable part of human existence, its role should not be merely accepted or resigned to, but actively addressed and alleviated. By focusing on reducing each other’s suffering and advocating for systemic changes, we must embrace a more hopeful and constructive approach to life. The true meaning of life is not confined to nihilistic or existentialist perspectives but is also found through sustained effort and a positive outlook. In the spirit of Vasudeva Kutumbakam, we must recognize that “the world is one family” and try to inculcate a sense of shared responsibility and optimism. It will help us to create a world where suffering is minimised, and human potential is realised. Suffering is indeed inevitable, but to live should not mean to suffer.

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