Dear aVoid,

Both Buddhism and Stoicism believe that life has an inevitable suffering. For Buddhism finds meaning by ending suffering. Stoicism finds meaning by accepting suffering.

I am not a Buddhist myself but am following a Buddhist-based psychotherapist on youtube. Her name is Barbara Heffernan. She explains that according to Buddhism, there is inevitable (or unavoidable) suffering, and there is also avoidable suffering.

Unavoidable suffering and pain can be due to illness, death of a loved one, war, accidents etc… Avoidable suffering is a product of our false beliefs, when we tell ourselves stories which aren’t true (e.g. that we are doomed, or that we are worthless), and this adds to our suffering. So, our false perceptions and false beliefs can lead to suffering that could be avoided.

So when you say you decided to accept suffering, I say yes, good decision, however I would suggest this: accept only the inevitable suffering. Don’t accept and create avoidable suffering.