Don’t escape from suffering | J. Krishnamurti

Summary

In this philosophical discussion, the speaker delves into the nature of sorrow and suffering, encouraging a deep examination of whether it can truly be ended. He challenges his friend to confront sorrow without seeking comfort or escape. The conversation emphasizes the importance of remaining with sorrow, avoiding analysis or the desire for a resolution. Through this process, the speaker suggests that one may uncover a deeper passion, essential for creativity and love. Ultimately, the script explores how attachment, self-pity, and the avoidance of pain contribute to the complexity of human suffering.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sorrow cannot be ended by seeking comfort or escape; it must be directly confronted.
• 😀 Suffering is often entangled with self-pity and attachment to people, ideas, or possessions.
• 😀 Attachment to external things or people, when lost, leads to feelings of loneliness and deeper sorrow.
• 😀 Sorrow is not separate from the individual; you are the suffering itself, not merely experiencing it.
• 😀 The approach to sorrow must be without self-interest or the desire for reward or comfort.
• 😀 Escaping from sorrow only prolongs the suffering and creates new cycles of attachment.
• 😀 To truly understand sorrow, one must remain with it, without letting thought interfere with the experience.
• 😀 Sorrow, when observed deeply, can reveal its immense nature, similar to how a beautiful jewel is revealed through closer inspection.
• 😀 Passion, as described, is not sexual desire, but a deeper creative energy essential for a meaningful life.
• 😀 Without passion, life becomes shallow and lacks beauty, love, and depth.
• 😀 The key to overcoming sorrow lies in remaining with it fully, without seeking to transcend or avoid it, thus allowing deeper insight and transformation.

Q & A

What does the speaker ask his friend about sorrow?

The speaker asks his friend whether it is possible to end sorrow and whether sorrow can ever truly be ended. He challenges his friend to examine this question deeply.

Why has the friend never considered ending sorrow?

The friend admits that he has never asked whether sorrow can end because he has lived with sorrow all his life. He doesn't know how to approach the idea and has tried various methods to relieve it, but continues to suffer.

What important distinction does the speaker make when asking about ending sorrow?

The speaker emphasizes that when asking whether sorrow can end, it is crucial to do so without seeking reward or punishment. The desire for peace or happiness through the end of sorrow is not true freedom from sorrow, but a mere exchange.

Is sorrow related to self-pity according to the conversation?

Yes, the speaker asks whether suffering is related to self-pity. The friend acknowledges that self-pity is partly involved in the suffering he experiences, often rooted in loss or attachment.

What kinds of attachments contribute to the friend’s suffering?

The friend’s suffering is partly caused by attachment to a person, an idea, or even material objects (like cherished furniture). The loss of these attachments creates loneliness and suffering.

What does the speaker say about loneliness?

The speaker explains that loneliness arises from attachments, such as the attachment to an audience, a person, or even a concept. When these attachments are lost, it leads to feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

How does the speaker explain the connection between suffering and the self?

The speaker clarifies that suffering is not separate from the individual experiencing it. Suffering is part of who you are, much like anger or envy. You are not just experiencing these emotions; you are the emotion itself.

What does the speaker suggest about escaping from sorrow?

The speaker warns against escaping sorrow, as this only leads to temporary relief and repeated cycles of suffering. Instead, he advises facing sorrow directly and without seeking comfort or distraction.

What should one do when facing sorrow, according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that one should not escape from sorrow but remain with it. Observing sorrow without the interference of thought allows one to understand its depth and significance.

What role does passion play in dealing with sorrow?

The speaker emphasizes that passion, not to be confused with lust, is vital for creativity, love, and depth in life. By remaining with sorrow, one can experience this passion, which reveals a deeper understanding and transformation beyond the surface of suffering.