Blog 237 – Mark Twain, Buddhism, and Perspective on Pain

“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.”
― Mark Twain

Mark Twain is one of my heroes. He’s right up there with Bugs Bunny as far as I am concerned. The quote above caught my attention this morning as I was searching for inspiration. To me, Mr. Twain points out our human tendency to imagine that things are worse than they actually are. Why is it that we can get so upset over things that are really of little consequence?

Becoming easily upset is probably just a habit of mind. The Buddhist solution to this problem lies in removing desire. If you don’t want stuff then you won’t be disappointed or upset.

I certainly appreciate Buddhist philosophy, but could never get fully on board, because frankly, I like wanting and getting stuff! Emptying myself of all desire might reduce pain and reduce my need for resources. but, it seems to me that the form of something gives a clue to it’s purpose.

A car, for example, is made to be driven and take you from place to place. If I don’t drive it, then I won’t need to buy gas or maintain the mechanics, I’ll save myself a bunch of effort and remove the need to obtain resources. However, what is a car that is not driven – a Buddhist car? (take it easy Buddhists – let go of that desire to have me characterize your philosophy correctly).

Our form as humans seems to be made for desire. Starting with the foundational desire to stay alive! And from there is continues, we are always going someplace, moving toward our desires; many are base drives like hunger, sex, and sleep – and the rest are more complex – but they all seem to be built in. What is the point of overcoming these desires when they are required to maintain and fully experience life? If life is good, then is not desire good? If desire is inherent in life, then pain and disappointment must be as well? So, if we cannot escape pain and disappointment then perhaps we can manage it, which is probably what Buddhists are up to in large part; reducing unnecessary pain and disappointment. I think the lesson is on the flip side of this coin, to be careful and fully aware of what we desire and why – and embrace the inherent pain and disappointment that inevitably attends.

Maybe feeling upset is just a signal to pay attention to what you desire and why. Is a particular desire worth feeling pain over? That is the question! This question underlies our 365 Commitment daily practice of thinking about, and writing down, what is most important (aka what you really want and desire). Only those things that are most important are worth suffering for. Everything else can be let go of! So, to me the answer is not in letting go of everything, but rather letting go of what is not worth feeling upset about, and embracing the difficulty and pain of pursuing what is.

We will live through terrible things, but much of what we thought was terrible was simply unworthy desires causing unnecessary pain. The truly terrible is when we fail to reach, or we lose, something of real importance.

I can imagine the most interesting man in the world (Mark Twain?) saying, “I don’t always feel pain, but when I do – it’s worth it!”

Ben Wagner (244)

Member The365Commitment

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Share the Post:

Recent Blogs

Day 299 – Using a Carrot or a Stick

This article explores the effectiveness of traditional motivational methods like the “carrot and stick” approach and argues for a more nuanced strategy. It emphasizes understanding individual motivations, setting clear goals, fostering autonomy, and leading by example to genuinely inspire harder work.

Day 298 – My First Zep Song

The author recounts their first encounter with Led Zeppelin, a pivotal moment in high school when a friend handed them a cassette tape. Despite initial confusion about the band’s albums, the song “D’yer Mak’er” from *Houses of the Holy* captivated them, marking their entry into the world of rock and roll.

Day 297 – Finding Solace

The author discusses experiencing cyclical periods of melancholy, which he distinguishes from depression, viewing them as transitional phases. He shares insights from a prison psychiatrist who emphasized managing reactions to these mood changes rather than viewing them as inherently problematic. The author’s strategy involves recognizing these feelings without judgment, continuing commitments despite them, and refraining from making major decisions during these low periods, which has led to shorter and less intense cycles over time.

Day 296 – Our Cyclical Nature

This article explores the idea that human physiology and mood patterns are deeply influenced by ancient evolutionary cycles, similar to a bear’s hibernation and feasting. It suggests that modern life creates a mismatch with these ingrained rhythms, leading to struggles like seasonal mood changes. The author proposes acknowledging and understanding these natural ebbs and flows for a more harmonious life.