Can you see that any separation we experience is the cause of the world's suffering?

Question

The focus on me, on my own suffering and even my own pleasure, seems to be the normal course for many of us, but this attachment to the illusion of Self, of I, only leads to separation. This separation results in all the pain and suffering that humans inflict upon each other. It is only in losing the Self can we know the Oneness that we are, and then we will create a world of love.

Answer 1

Separative feeling is the cause of human suffering many times.

Answer 2

Why is there evil and suffering in the world?



     The curious as well as the critics of Christianity ask this question. If God is all-powerful and all loving, then why does He permit evil and suffering in the world? Various answers have been given but permanently settling the issue is impossible because so many of our answers raise further questions. Nevertheless, our lack of ability to answer the question perfectly does not mean that we cannot offer solutions. Of course, I do not assume to be able to answer these questions definitively, but I can offer some solutions.

     First of all, it is possible that God has reasons for allowing evil to exist that we simply cannot understand. In this the Christian can have confidence in God knowing that His ways are above our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). As the Bible says, the just shall live by faith (Hab. 2:4).

     Second, God may be letting evil run its course in order to prove that evil is evil and that suffering, which is the unfortunate product of evil, is further proof that anything contrary to God’s will is bad, harmful, painful, and leads to death.

     God gave Adam dominion over the world (Gen. 1:28). When he rebelled against God, he set in motion an entire series of events and changed the very nature of man and creation. Both were affected by sin. Creation was no longer a paradise, but bore thorns and thistles (Gen. 3:17-18; Rom. 8:22). People became sinful (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:3), who were haters of God (Rom. 3:19-12), etc. The only conclusion to such a situation is death. Jesus said, "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened" (Matt. 24:22).

     Sin is rebellion against God and His created order. But God has not left us alone in this fallen world. He continued to enter this world, pointing us to Himself, to truth, to morality, purity, and love. He used the evil of the world (liars, perjurers, the envious, etc), to bring His Son to the cross so that we might have the opportunity of eternal life. In this, God has not stepped away from fallen creation, but has stepped into it by becoming Jesus. God works within the fallen world to affect change and He uses fallen people to accomplish His will. In this, He is proving His sovereignty over evil, suffering, and rebellious people, proving that sin and evil are utterly futile, and that He is worthy of honor and glory.

     A third possible reason that God is letting evil occur is so that on the day of judgment, the condemned will have no right to say that their sentence is unjust. God is not stopping people from exercising their free will. Think about this: If someone said that God should stop evil and suffering, then should God then stop all evil and suffering? If God only stopped some of it, then we would still be asking the same question of why it exists. So, if we want God to stop evil and suffering, then He must stop all of it. We have no problem with this when it means stopping a catastrophe, or a murder, or a rape. But what about when someone thinks of something evil? Evil is evil whether it is acted out or not. Hatred and bigotry in someone’s heart is wrong. If it is wrong, and if God is to stop all evil, then He must stop that person from thinking his own thoughts. To do that, God must remove his freedom of thought. Furthermore, which person on the earth has not thought something evil? God would be required, then, to stop all people from exercising their free will. This is something God has chosen not to do. Therefore, we could say that one of the reasons that God permits evil and suffering is because of man’s free will.

     Fourth, it is quite possible that God uses the suffering to do good. In other words, He produces patience through tribulation (Rom. 5:3). Or He may desire to save someone through it. Take for example, the account of Joseph who was sold into slavery by His brothers. What they did was wrong and Joseph suffered greatly for it. But, later, God raised up Joseph in Egypt to make provisions for the people of that land during the coming drought of seven years. But not only was Egypt saved, but also so was his family and brothers who originally sold him into slavery. Joseph finally says to them, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" (Gen. 50:15-21). Of course, the greatest example of God using evil for good is the death of Christ. Evil people brought him to the cross, but God used that cross as the means to save the world.

     But then we must ask, if this is true, are we working against God by working against evil and suffering? No, we are not. God says he does not want us to sin and suffer. But it is simply true that God can use evil despite of its apparent despicable nature.

     God is in the world using the world and its failures for His glory and the benefit of those who listen to Him.

     But then, what about those who seem to innocently suffer with no benefit resulting

Answer 3

Yes!! it seems so simple doesn't it? thats because it is.  The world is already completely one of love, nothing to create - just a return to oneness, a return to Love.  Wonderful, wonderful question - when we look at the world with eyes of Love we see reality and experience heaven.

Answer 4

You have said it all, I fully agree. We are all, in fact, all that exist - all animate and inanimate -are all connected naturally, already, in great mutuality, harmony, succor and love. Urge to ones own identity other than the nature has endowed with gives raise to ego and separation from that original unity, Suffering is the result. Where on earth is the need for separate identity when all that is given by nature is so unique and fulfilling!  

Answer 5

I would beg to differ on that its selfishness that causes suffering, rather than seperateness. The world of experience would cease to exist without seperateness (Maya).

If you become one with everything, then you can't experience anything else. Its only by limiting the consciousness, that we are even able to relate to one another and connect with God and experience his devine grace through his creation

Answer 6

No not in this way as  thou art to express.

If  thou  are reached the stage when thou are one with  everything that is around thee, then there is no loss and no gain..Thou loose nothing  and thou gain nothing...

And at that stage thou are free..no one enslaves or rules thee..

And yes for a being unknown to this path, every breath taken  is a suffering, and every breath released still more and usually  they lead to chaos!

Answer 7

Selfishness leads to suffering in the world?  Couldn't agree more

Answer 8

No.

Only by believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will you know truth and peace.  Any other method is false and a tool of antichrist.

The only way to get into heaven and avoid being sent to eternal h**l, is by believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus loves you.  :)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is this:  The truth is that the only way to be saved and to get into heaven and avoid being sent to eternal h**l is by believing in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe this and you are saved!

Please pray now: "Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and You rose from the dead. Thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die. :)

Answer 9

I agree with you, by us focusing on our self and our problems, we push others away. I have an eating disorder, and I have pushed so many away because of this.  I am trying to fix this so I can help others.  But I just find it hard to believe that it is the cause of the world suffering. Yes, by many people focusing on their problems, they ignore the suffering of others. But the ones suffering also are trying to solve the problems that they face. So if everyone is facing problems, are we all to blame?  We all focus on our own problems, but there are many out there who also focus on helping others even though they have battles they are trying to win.  So in a way, even though we push others away, the ones we push away push others away.  But there is also good from this, because when they are able to solve their problems, they can turn around and help others.