What is Suffering? Is It Necessary?

Roman Emperor Decius, expressing anxiety and worry
 (My most common source of suffering)

Suffering is one of a few universal experiences. Everybody suffers. In that sense, it’s definitely a necessary part of life. But what exactly is it, and is it necessary to gain enlightenment?

          My conception of suffering is an ongoing process of pain or discomfort – any negative feeling – that is unique to each person. Suffering is caused by the obstacles we face throughout the narrative of our lives. We all suffer from physical pain, of course, but we don’t all suffer the same emotionally. I know that identical words mean different things to different people. But does this pain bring learning with it?

          Siddhartha is about suffering; the protagonist suffers a series of failed ventures, and just when he loses everything, he realizes he has finally attained the elusive peace he was after in the first place. When he is a Samana, he tries to numb himself by experiencing physical deprivation, but his arrogance increases and his body suffers. When he is a rich man, he tries to evade physical suffering for more than twenty years by enjoying the wealthy lifestyle, but his disgust with the world grows and his mind stagnates. He takes multiple decades to finally cast off his attachments and understand his own path. 
          Finding peace doesn't imply a lack of suffering. It seems painfully affirming of the omnipresence of suffering when Siddhartha hurts after Kamala perishes:“You have suffered, Siddhartha, yet I see that sadness has not entered your heart” (114). By contrast, his life of indulgence made him desire to “rid himself with one terrific heave of these pleasures, of these habits of this entirely senseless life” (82). But notice that Siddhartha doesn't let pain "get to him" in the former example. In the second, his pain was self-perpetuating; he didn't learn or improve from it. According to Siddhartha, suffering is necessary to escape the cycle of folly and pain, Samsara, and become enlightened. 
          Suffering is hard to deal with. For the last four years or so, maybe even my entire life, I tried to get away from suffering. I thought that by improving myself emotionally and physically, I would become "happier" and not suffer; I would reach some sort of Nirvana (fitting, isn't it?) where I would never have to feel bad again. But, of course, each time I think I'm there, emotional pain comes back at some point and throws me off balance. I think Siddhartha and its message of universal suffering - even in one who has reached ultimate peace - adds to my knowledge of the life experience and informs my future plans. Never shall I try to escape suffering altogether; only to avoid needless suffering.