Why do we suffer? Suffering does not discriminate. Rich people, poor people, religious people, nonreligious people, good people, evil people, famous people, powerful people all suffer. The suffering of a child is very difficult to bear. Ever since the beginning of the conscious mind, man has wondered why we suffer. In the Bible, the righteous man Job even questioned God on why he suffered when he was a good man.

Does suffering have a purpose? Is there a cause relationship of suffering? Some would say that suffering is a result of our past sins.  It is our punishment for our evil thoughts and behavior.  But what about the innocent child who suffers? Some will say it is the result of his or her previous lives.

But does suffering have to be explained as a punishment?  Maybe like the recycling of oxygen and carbon dioxide to maintain life on earth, it is part of the process to purify our minds. Good thoughts and behavior results in joy, and evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) thoughts and behavior result in suffering. God is only a spectator.  We sow what we plant. The individual controls his or her own destiny by his or her actions and thoughts. By understanding this concept of causality, one can purify the mind.

What parent would want their child to suffer? It is the same with God. God does not want his children to suffer. God can only look on as humans treat each other with disrespect.  We must remind our selves that because suffering exist, joy must also exist. We must use our minds to create joy.