All of existence is suffering, Cassel. The Buddhists recognize this as the first of the Four Noble Truths.

[he takes a deep breath and turns back to face the boy, both hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans. he recites:]

"Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering."

[beyond doesn't so much distance himself from the things that cause him pain - he bottles everything up inside to simmer under a dispassionate exterior.]