VEDANTA AND SUFFERING

In Vedanta, suffering is thought to be part of the unfolding of a person's karma, and a consequence of his or her past inappropriate action.

Suffering is also inherent in the cycles of living and rebirth.  It's simply the way existence is.

Vedic traditions promote, firstly, the acceptance of suffering as a just consequence under laws of karma; secondly, the realization that suffering is transitory and does not affect one’s true Self (Atman); and, thirdly, the view that suffering is not solely negative.  This is to say, a person may embrace suffering as a way of advancing on his or her spiritual path, a case of being tested and learning from a difficult experience.