Every mother is aware of the discomfort associated with childbirth. Despite this, many view suffering as essential, given the immense joy that a new kid brings. The truth is life is full of suffering. Going through pain is necessary for appreciating the good times in life. Furthermore, such drastic moments are even an essential aspect of living. It might sound surprising, but sorrow and agony may be productive and useful.

Nelson Mandela endured a great deal of pain for 27 years while incarcerated. He was forced to sleep on the floor and perform monotonous physical work. One might expect Mandela to be as shattered after such an event as the rocks he tore to pieces. However, his agony actually inspired him to develop compassion and understanding for his political opponents.

Later on, Mandela became South Africa's first independent president with his subsequent compassion. Suffering is vital, but only if it is felt in a specific way. You need to turn your attention from yourself to others. Furthermore, as the Buddhist mind-training method lojong advises, worrying excessively about your own goodness or badness would only make you depressed.

When Dalai Lama was requested to teach Buddhism at Bodh Gaya, the most sacred Buddhist location in the world, he experienced a severe stomach ache just before arriving there. He needed to rush to the hospital since it seemed severe, but the closest one was two hours away. On his way, Dalai Lama saw a sick, older man sitting alone on the street, obviously dying. Dalai Lama turned his focus to this other person, sensed the man's suffering, and, for a little while, forgot about his own.