Well the thing is I'm not certain. About anything. I just know that this is what a variety of religions and traditions teach (not that I'm into religion or tradition). I decided to find out more about it so I tried it for myself, and it worked for me.
Meditation is about exploring, and then mastering the mind through thousands of hours of inquisition and practice. One can eventually realise that many of the problems we all encounter need not cause us suffering. The Dalai Lama teaches that if we have a problem, then we sort it out right away or as soon as possible so theres no point in worrying. If we cannot sort out the problem quickly or at all, then we should still not worry about it because the only purpose of this will be to make us feel worse.
Meditation is not the only way either. You could figure out how to end suffering yourself at any time, but meditating does seem to be like taking the express coach.
If my children are running riot, making noise, messing up the place, fighting etc. I don't suffer at these times like many other parents do. I DO feel the stress response, but since I'm used to getting rid of thoughts and emotions, then its almost as if I have an off switch in my head. Even if a blinding fury emerges, all I have to do is realise and it instantly vanishes. The same is true for when I feel jealosy, depression, anxiety, or a range of emotions. When theres a crisis at work, and everyone's running aroud stressed, I can remain calm and indifferent. It really is as if through meditation, one can gain immunity from much of life's suffering. You have to start small in these instances, but over time, you can remain stress free in increasingly stress inducing conditions. I think its a neverending process.
You may be right in that everyone is different, but our bodies and minds are formed of the same things, and develop in the same way, so realistically we're extremely similar. Experiences do mould people and influence them do behave individually, but if you explore deeper, there is usually and underlying reason for this behaviour that is universal.
For example, if 2 men try to chat up a girl, and they are both fearful of approaching her. One person may act super cool or even arrogant to impress her while the other one may stutter and shake. Two completely opposite behaviours, but the motive -in this case fear- is the same. It may appear that we're all different, but our seemingly unpredictable behaviour are all essentially for achieving the same goals.
http://www.doyletics.com/index10.htmAgain meditation is not the only way, but the scientific evidence for its value is extremely strong.