Suffering (ταλαιπωρία)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

Suffering is an undesirable thing in its essence, yet it is experienced at every level of humanity. No one is exempt from it. No matter where one stands in life; whether in prosperity or poverty, in wisdom or ignorance, in solitude or companionship, suffering finds its way deep into existence. It is called by many names and understood in many ways, but it remains an undeniable part of human nature. It is more than a condition of pain or an affliction of the body. It does not limit itself to a single form, nor does it reveal itself in only one manner that is apparent. Suffering permeates the exact fabric of our being, reaching beyond the physical to affect the mind, emotions and even the innermost depths of the soul. It is like an eclipse that covers us in its lingering shade of darkness, obscuring our sense of peace and replacing it with turmoil.

When we suffer, we are confronting that which burdens not only our body and mind but our intrinsic soul. Life itself is in many ways, a journey through suffering. The notion that we can live free from it is an illusion, one that deceives many people into seeking an existence devoid of hardship. Yet, suffering is not something to be feared or evaded at all costs. It is a force that compels us towards growth, a challenge that demands resilience. The serenity we seek, the relief we long for, and the end to suffering that we desire can only be attained through a profound understanding of ourselves. This is the essence of self-acceptance and self-awareness. It is by accepting our imperfections, acknowledging our weaknesses and embracing our true nature that we begin to free ourselves from suffering’s grip. To know oneself is to confront suffering not as an enemy, but as an aspect of existence that must be confronted with our utmost wisdom.

In Meleticism, pathos is meant to embody the concept of suffering. It is a suffering that drowns us in a continual chasm that is repetitive and merciless. No one is exempted from suffering. It is a natural part of our lives. We shall suffer in one way or the other, whether it is emotional or physical, lasting or temporary. Bathos is considered the lowest depth of suffering. A place where we feel lost in the bottom of our suffering. We often reach this type of suffering, and there are manifold individuals who never escape this suffering.

Amidst adversity, there is always a glimpse of hope. Our suffering does not define us. We are far more than the pain we endure, and we should never allow suffering to become the singular force that dictates our lives. It is within our power to remove the negative energy that remains within, just as it is within our power to cultivate positivity from within ourselves. We are not separate from the cosmos; we are a part of it. The energy that moves the universe is also within us, shaping our consciousness and strengthening our inherent being. This natural flow of cosmic order is present within each of us. It is the current that moves through our soul, guiding us towards healing. Even in suffering, the natural flow continues its movement. It is not hindered by pain or despair, nor does it cease to flow when we are at our lowest. It remains, urging us to move forward, to embrace the process of healing, and to accept that we are not prisoners to suffering unless we choose to be.

Suffering is not to be measured as greater or lesser between individuals. The pain of one is not diminished by the suffering of another, nor should one believe that suffering is the most unbearable. Suffering is personal, shaped by the individual’s experience, yet it is also universal. We all suffer, and in this, we are united. To accept our mortal fate is the beginning of accepting the truth of life itself. We could choose to walk this path alone, weighed down by our suffering, believing that it isolates us from the world. Or we could embrace the understanding that we are never truly alone. We are bound together by the will that exists within us, by the energy that connects us to all things. Suffering, though deeply personal is a shared human experience. To acknowledge this is to understand that although our suffering is great, it does not have to consume us. It is like standing in the eye of a storm amidst the chaos, yet still possessing the power to withstand its brutal force.

Meditation is a mechanism that serves the mind, body and soul. It is not merely an act of relaxation, nor is it simply an escape from the struggles of daily life. Rather, it is a process of purification, a method through which one can cleanse the self of the weight of suffering. Through meditation, we learn to still the mind, to temper the storm within and to find clarity in certain moments of confusion. It is in these moments of reflection that we confront one of the profoundest questions asked by humanity, which is why do we suffer? Is suffering a punishment, imposed upon us by an unseen force? Is it the consequence of our own actions, a burden we have brought upon ourselves?

The answer is neither. Suffering is not a punishment, nor is it always the result of personal failure. It is something that we are destined to endure from the moment we are born. To be human is to suffer, and this truth cannot be avoided. Suffering is not merely about its cause or its reason. It is something far more complex. It drains us, weakens us and can leave us in gradual despair. It can seem insurmountable, a force that presses down upon us with relentless weight. At times, it gives more than we believe we can bear, and its shadow lingers as long as we allow it to remain present.

The philosophy of Meleticism teaches that empowerment comes through the unity of mind, body and soul. Discovering the essence of happiness allows us to comprehend the meaning of suffering. It is not merely an affliction, for it is a reality that belongs to us, one that we have the power to shape through our perspective and our actions.

(To Ένa) the One is not a god that erases suffering through prayer or miracles. It does not grant us immediate relief, nor does it intervene on our behalf to remove hardship from our lives. Instead, it offers us something far greater, which is the means to overcome suffering through our own strength. To Ena is the path to liberation, but it is a path that must be walked by our own will. Without the will to seek understanding, without the effort to move beyond suffering, the path remains nothing more than an idea rather than a reality. It is easier to seek external salvation than it is to look inwards. True liberation is not granted, for it is attained.

Our suffering is not meant to destroy us. It does not exist to break our will or to strip us of our identity. We are not powerless in the face of suffering, unless we choose to surrender to it. There are those people who will suffer for most of their lives, burdened by circumstances beyond their control. Even in the depths of suffering, one must not lose sight of the self. Suffering should never reduce a person to nothingness. It should never become the sole definition of who one is.

The power within one is the power of To Ena. It is the force that reminds us that we are more than our mere suffering, that we are not bound by pain alone. Though suffering is an inevitable part of life, it is not the entirety of life itself. We have the ability to rise beyond it, to find strength within ourselves, and to realise that within our suffering, there is also the potentiality for growth, understanding and ultimately, enlightenment.

To suffer is to be human. To transcend suffering is to embrace the innermost depth of existence. In this, we do not seek to eliminate suffering. We must understand it, accept it, learn from it, and to use it as a means of becoming more than we were before. The personal journey is not without hardship, but is a journey worth taking.

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