I’ll give you a minute to unpretzel your brain and maybe…
““I’ll give you a minute to unpretzel your brain and maybe read that again: Wanting positive experience is a negative experience; accepting negative experience is a positive experience. It’s what the philosopher Alan Watts used to refer to as “the backwards law”—the idea that the more you pursue feeling better all the time, the less satisfied you become, as pursuing something only reinforces the fact that you lack it in the first place.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage describes the paradox that chasing only positive feelings creates dissatisfaction, while embracing negative experiences leads to true contentment, echoing Alan Watts' "backwards law".
In simple terms: Seeking only happiness makes you unhappy; accepting all feelings brings peace.
Key Takeaway
Accept all emotions rather than chasing happiness.
Themes
happiness
acceptance
psychology
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
calm
Type
self‑help
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- self‑help reading
- mindfulness practice
- coaching
Key Concepts
backwards law
mindfulness
cognitive reframing
Questions to Reflect On
- What negative feelings have you resisted?
- How can acceptance improve your daily life?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex emotional processes.