People don't understand that in trying to avoid or erase pain from their lives, they're actually fueling their own pain. Escaping reality in any form (fake positivity, social media, drugs...) only brings more internal suffering because the problem doesn't go away.
Thank you for following. People experience many joys, angers, sorrows, and joys in their lives. I think it's destiny. You have to do the bare minimum as a human being, whether you're doing your best as an adult or running away. I believe that we must train our souls to continue to have the faith to try again and get back up even if we experience hardship, sadness, suffering, pain, sincerity, kindness, etc., even if we fail. I write calligraphy when I'm in a state of joy, anger, sadness, or joy. Although the countries are different, everyone has their own worries. Letters have their own individuality, and when you add to that individuality, it releases its presence onto the paper. It's free, so I'd be very happy if you read it and support my work. I would like to receive your comments. Please.
"this societal avoidance of pain has rendered us unable to deal with nor benefit from it." I read David Goggins latest book recently and this is basically what he writes about. One quote I found fascinating from his book "People don't even want to think about their darkest shit, much less talk about it. They refuse to speculate in the harsh wilderness of the past because they are afraid of exposure. Believe me, there's gold in them there hills." I even had similar thoughts about how everybody seems to hate capitalism now all of a sudden. A lot of people are upset that it basically just puts them on a never-ending treadmill of working. I mean, isn't that kinda what life is, though? That's the tax we pay to exist on planet earth. We must work. Anyway, I've subscribed. I really like this newsletter.
Thanks for your comment. I completely agree - the only reason humanity has accomplished such incredible feats is due to millions of people working incredibly hard, each contributing in their own unique way to society, for basically their entire lives. I think this is why it's key to find work that you love doing or at least are slightly passionate about. Work is inevitable, so it's no use complaining about it - what you choose to work on however, is completely in your control.
Love it. Han sounds like a consummate Buddhist-Taoist philosopher, right down to his indifference for the wider circles he’s supposed to be part of! many of these ideas, which I also attempt to follow, could be taken from the pages of Zen or the Tao Te Ching.
The depths one can accept and feel pain is the same depths to one is capable of loving, this is why so many run from both in equal measure, for self and others.
Han’s books sound interesting. Numbing our pain with addiction, attachments, distractions and consumerism is today’s epidemic.
As for physical pain…it too can be an indicator of what we struggle to address. Bessel van der Kolk writes about this in his book, The Body Keeps The Score, and Dr Gabor Mate and Peter Levine. If our pain and trauma remains stuck in the nervous system, suppressed and avoided, medicated and numbed, it will be expressed eventually in the body. It’s why a gazelle will shake violently after a threat by a lion has passed, then go back to grazing. The trauma was felt and released.
To be accepting of the pain of rejection, loss, grief and to not run from it, has been the only thing that has released the grip of depression that’s plagued my life. The late autumn season of life puts pain and happiness in perspective, where both can be accepted and even appreciated.
And the human growth advocate looked at the potted plant which was sad and wilting and advised it to be more positive or deterioration would ensue. Can’t it see that it’s lucky to have a colourful plastic pot to die in?! The plant felt ashamed to have complained about painful roots and burning skin and berated itself for being unable to be mindful of the beautiful day, because actually the sun felt like a fiery furnace on its drying skin. The plant died happily because apparently it never bothered to complain or cry out again. It understood that death was the real happiness in this predicament. The painful truth was that the human growth representative was lying and actually needed the pot the plant had taken up residence in!
Nice Post. I have an affinity for Korean Culture. I grew up around many "Han Guk Saram" or Korean people, and I enjoy the best Kim Chi east of the Rockies. But I digress.
Discomfort is an important tool for growth, in my opinion. It is at the root of the negative expression, stupidity hurts. But isn't there some truth this expression? As Manu wrote earlier, addiction is the end result of finding relief from pain. The relief, no matter what the "poison", is a dopamine hit. I'm not a doctor or scientist, but we can all feel this jolt when we seek it. False happiness for real pain, often seems like a bargain until we are trapped by a behavior like drugs, unhealthy relationships or social media. It might be interesting to examine what Buddhism says about suffering.
People don't understand that in trying to avoid or erase pain from their lives, they're actually fueling their own pain. Escaping reality in any form (fake positivity, social media, drugs...) only brings more internal suffering because the problem doesn't go away.
Thanks for your comment - I completely agree.
Thank you for following. People experience many joys, angers, sorrows, and joys in their lives. I think it's destiny. You have to do the bare minimum as a human being, whether you're doing your best as an adult or running away. I believe that we must train our souls to continue to have the faith to try again and get back up even if we experience hardship, sadness, suffering, pain, sincerity, kindness, etc., even if we fail. I write calligraphy when I'm in a state of joy, anger, sadness, or joy. Although the countries are different, everyone has their own worries. Letters have their own individuality, and when you add to that individuality, it releases its presence onto the paper. It's free, so I'd be very happy if you read it and support my work. I would like to receive your comments. Please.
"this societal avoidance of pain has rendered us unable to deal with nor benefit from it." I read David Goggins latest book recently and this is basically what he writes about. One quote I found fascinating from his book "People don't even want to think about their darkest shit, much less talk about it. They refuse to speculate in the harsh wilderness of the past because they are afraid of exposure. Believe me, there's gold in them there hills." I even had similar thoughts about how everybody seems to hate capitalism now all of a sudden. A lot of people are upset that it basically just puts them on a never-ending treadmill of working. I mean, isn't that kinda what life is, though? That's the tax we pay to exist on planet earth. We must work. Anyway, I've subscribed. I really like this newsletter.
Thanks for your comment. I completely agree - the only reason humanity has accomplished such incredible feats is due to millions of people working incredibly hard, each contributing in their own unique way to society, for basically their entire lives. I think this is why it's key to find work that you love doing or at least are slightly passionate about. Work is inevitable, so it's no use complaining about it - what you choose to work on however, is completely in your control.
Excellent article! I will most certainly be purchasing that book. A lot of what he (and you) said struck a chord with me.
Love it. Han sounds like a consummate Buddhist-Taoist philosopher, right down to his indifference for the wider circles he’s supposed to be part of! many of these ideas, which I also attempt to follow, could be taken from the pages of Zen or the Tao Te Ching.
Where in Canada do you live? I’m in Vancouver.
Thanks for your comment and for your readership! I'm from Western Canada as well.
I suppose extreme pain aversion would mean looking away from painful things. We have to look at them in order to help to correct them.
"Joy won't feel so good, if it wasn't for pain" —50 Cent, "Many Men"
The depths one can accept and feel pain is the same depths to one is capable of loving, this is why so many run from both in equal measure, for self and others.
Very nice piece, you have convinced me to read Han and have earned a subscriber! There's a fine line between pleasure and pain.
Han’s books sound interesting. Numbing our pain with addiction, attachments, distractions and consumerism is today’s epidemic.
As for physical pain…it too can be an indicator of what we struggle to address. Bessel van der Kolk writes about this in his book, The Body Keeps The Score, and Dr Gabor Mate and Peter Levine. If our pain and trauma remains stuck in the nervous system, suppressed and avoided, medicated and numbed, it will be expressed eventually in the body. It’s why a gazelle will shake violently after a threat by a lion has passed, then go back to grazing. The trauma was felt and released.
To be accepting of the pain of rejection, loss, grief and to not run from it, has been the only thing that has released the grip of depression that’s plagued my life. The late autumn season of life puts pain and happiness in perspective, where both can be accepted and even appreciated.
Gabor Mate, I hear, himself is addicted to an anti-ADD drug.
And the human growth advocate looked at the potted plant which was sad and wilting and advised it to be more positive or deterioration would ensue. Can’t it see that it’s lucky to have a colourful plastic pot to die in?! The plant felt ashamed to have complained about painful roots and burning skin and berated itself for being unable to be mindful of the beautiful day, because actually the sun felt like a fiery furnace on its drying skin. The plant died happily because apparently it never bothered to complain or cry out again. It understood that death was the real happiness in this predicament. The painful truth was that the human growth representative was lying and actually needed the pot the plant had taken up residence in!
Nice Post. I have an affinity for Korean Culture. I grew up around many "Han Guk Saram" or Korean people, and I enjoy the best Kim Chi east of the Rockies. But I digress.
Discomfort is an important tool for growth, in my opinion. It is at the root of the negative expression, stupidity hurts. But isn't there some truth this expression? As Manu wrote earlier, addiction is the end result of finding relief from pain. The relief, no matter what the "poison", is a dopamine hit. I'm not a doctor or scientist, but we can all feel this jolt when we seek it. False happiness for real pain, often seems like a bargain until we are trapped by a behavior like drugs, unhealthy relationships or social media. It might be interesting to examine what Buddhism says about suffering.
I would suggest that our enemies, such as the PRC, encourage our weaknesses such as instant gratification and luxury seeking to gain advantage.
"The Art of War" by Szu
Are you talking about “The Art of War,” by Sun Tzu? You confused me.
Close enuff ☺️
I kinda like your screen name. xD