Suffering is undoubtedly a part of being human. Each person suffers in some way or another, it is not something reserved for just the poor, or just the people who do wrong; even the richest people and the most "holy" people suffer. Suffering traditionally is seen as either a punishment for sin, a trial or a test, or the result of an innocent victim getting caught in a fight between good and evil. When thinking about suffering I also think about the inner journey. I think that during the inner journey there is a period of suffering that is used to surface an individual's deepest feelings and struggles, and in a sense purify them. It is that process of suffering that leads to a more mature understanding of who we are and what our purpose in the world is.
In both Job and Gilgamesh the aspect of a journey to discovery is led by suffering. For Job, his journey is internal. He struggles with the loss of the life he'd had previously, and with his faith in God. For Gilgamesh, his journey is a physical one where he mourns the loss of Enkidu and searches for immortality. I find a strong parallel between the cause of Job's suffering and the cause of Gilgamesh's suffering. For Job, his suffering was caused because he angered satan by rejecting him in favor of serving God. For Gilgamesh, his suffering was caused because he angered the goddess by rejecting her. Their suffering was caused by their strength of character, and that strength was also what allowed them to make it through their hardships. Job's faith in God sustained him when he had nothing else, and in the end he was rewarded for his loyalty and steadfastness. Not only was his life restored to him, he had found more favor with God, and had discovered a deeper level of understanding regarding his faith. Gilgamesh's desire to find immortality pushed him to continue even when the journey became almost impossibly difficult, and in the end it allowed him to attain knowledge that he brought back to his people. Even though he did not gain immortality, he was able to discover who he really was, and grow. In many ways, his suffering gave him the ability to be truly human. Both Job and Gilgamesh illustrate that suffering is not something a human can avoid, in the end people are falliable, but if they allow themselves to grow because of the trials they experience, that suffering can bring them to a place of deep joy and reward.
Jenny,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you equated suffering to the concept of an inner journey. We always view suffering in a negative light, but it can be used for good. It can allow us to see past our current woes and look to the future. It can strengthen and mature us. It is awful in the moment, but in the long run, it can be advantageous. Both Job and Gilgamesh were delivered out of suffering and found peace and for Job, blessing, from it. Also, I very much agree with you when you said that everyone goes through suffering, not just those whom we label to be less fortunate. I think it's important to acknowledge suffering in our lives and to have faith that we will come out of it stronger than we were before. Thanks for sharing!
Jenny,
ReplyDeleteI really, really liked the way you connected it to the inner journey! I have to say, you presented something I had not entirely thought of, and that is the idea that Job's journal is internal, while Gilgamesh's is external the effects each of those concepts had on the story and the characters within them. I think I had just subconsciously known this, as it's a rather obvious fact, but the way in which you connected it was really in-depth and well thought out (clearly)! I must agree with Abby in how humans, especially Americans, view suffering as a negative experience, when in fact, it's honestly more of an enlightening period, allowing us to grow in character, personality, and inwardly. I also agree with Abby in the fact of how you mention it's not just the less fortunate that experience suffering. People have a great tendency to be so fickle and stereotypical that they forget suffering is a universal concept, or even archetype, if you so desire to call it that. I really enjoyed reading your post, as you're very honest and well-thought out. Thank you for sharing.