Mind Quote by David Foster Wallace
““He could do the dextral pain the same way: Abiding. Here was a second right here: he endured it. What was undealable-with was the thought of all the instants all lined up and stretching ahead, glittering. And the projected future fear. ... It's too much to think about. To Abide there. But none of it's as of now real. ... He could just hunker down in the space between each heartbeat and make each heartbeat a wall and live in there. Not let his head look over. What's unendurable is what his own head could make of it all. ... But he could choose not to listen.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Infinite Jest, 1996
Enduring pain involves focusing on present moments, not future dread.
In simple terms: Live in the now to bear pain.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindfulness to manage suffering.
Themes
mental health
existentialism
resilience
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
psychological
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy
- meditation
- creative writing
- stressful work
Key Concepts
mindfulness
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you anchor yourself in the present?
- What thoughts amplify your suffering?
A Different Perspective
Mindfulness alone may not resolve deep trauma.
![“Abiding. No one single instant of it was unendurable. Here was the second right here: he endured it. What was undealable-with was the thought of all the instants all lined up and stretching ahead, glittering. [...] It's too much to think about. To Abide there. But none of it's as of now real…” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef2/david-foster-wallace-161_philosophy-of-mind_abiding-no-one-single-instant-of-it-was_1759262.jpg)
