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.
That is a very vague description. I'm not asking for a definition. What does it mean to you personally? Is it simply a "state of mind". If so, is it equal to other states of mind, and if yes, in what ways?
It's just like happy, angry, sad, bored, content, nervous.
Suffering is an emotion. Nothing more complex than that.
So, do you not understand your emotions? Are they just "things that happen" to you?
I'm not trying to be mean. And I'm sorry if I came off that way. I just want to understand.
Maybe I don't know what you're trying to understand.
Emotions do happen. Not sure what alternative you're thinking of.
Calling them things is only a convenient short hand. They aren't tangible objects in any way. They're patterns of neuron firing.
Reading your OP again. Some emotions may have a functional purpose, to guide useful behaviour, others may simply side-effects of having emotions at all. I'm not sure suffering would be one of the former. Sometimes people choose to make good of their suffering. Building character or what not. But that's far from automatic. Often people gain nothing from suffering.