Is There a Meaning to Pain? / by Alexander Lyadov

Many have been convinced that everything in this world is relative. The grand narratives of the past have fragmented into micro-stories on TikTok. People have lost their bearings. Postmodernist Derrida declared, "There is nothing outside the text."

The only thing no one will deny is pain. Regardless of age, gender, race, personality type, education, or political beliefs, pain is real for absolutely everyone. In Buddhism, there's a broader concept—"dukkha." It translates to "suffering" or "restless dissatisfaction." Even pleasure is painful because it differs from expectations, fleeting, and painfully desired to repeat.

Ignoring one's suffering is only possible for a while. Even after years, a person eventually explodes: "Enough! I can't bear this anymore! I'll do something, anything."

Pain is the most reliable catalyst for change.

What would happen if a person is artificially deprived of suffering? For instance, distracting him, pumping him with painkillers, or rendering him numb. It may seem like an act of love and sympathy. But the person becomes a zombie, an automaton, a puppet. He's not living.

No current flows when there is no potential difference between the cathode and the anode.

A person must mature on his own to change his life for the better. During this process, he (or she) will suffer until reaching a breaking point. But afterward, growth will be exponential.

Do you believe the conditions for change differ for an organization?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander


About me:
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

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