--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the function of suffering is to…" description: "\"I think the function of suffering is to let me know that my perception is skewed; what I’m doing is judging natural events in such a way that I am crea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/hubert-selby-jr-12027_causes_i-think-the-function-of-suffering-is-to_2688136.png" --- # I think the function of suffering is to let me know that… ![“I think the function of suffering is to let me know that my perception is skewed; what I’m doing is judging natural events in such a way that I am creating suffering within myself. For instance, you have pain over certain conditions, certain situations that occur. And if you just say ‘ok, here I…” quote by Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/hubert-selby-jr-12027_causes_i-think-the-function-of-suffering-is-to_2688136.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/hubert-selby-jr-12027_causes_i-think-the-function-of-suffering-is-to_2688136.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/hubert-selby-jr-12027_causes_i-think-the-function-of-suffering-is-to_2688136.png) > “I think the function of suffering is to let me know that my perception is skewed; what I’m doing is judging natural events in such a way that I am creating suffering within myself. For instance, you have pain over certain conditions, certain situations that occur. And if you just say ‘ok, here I am, I’m going to experience the pain,’ you don’t suffer. The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.” [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suffering arises when we judge natural events, creating mental resistance that amplifies pain. **In simple terms:** Judging life creates extra pain. Key Takeaway Accept events without judgment. Themes suffering perception mindfulness Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - health challenges - relationship conflicts - grief - stress management Key Concepts cognitive distortion acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can you notice judgmental thoughts? - What does acceptance feel like in pain? A Different Perspective If the event is truly harmful, resistance may be protective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Certain Situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain-situations/) [Creating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creating/) [Creating Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creating-suffering-1183933/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-suffering-2635460/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judging/) [Let me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-me/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Phenomenon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phenomenon/) [Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resistance/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Suffering Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-instance-2635461/) [Suffering Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-let-1801193/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [It may look as if the situation is creating the suffering, but ultimately this is not so - your resistance is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/it-may-look-as-if-the-situation-is-creating-the-suffering-but/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [If you are not in the state of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm, look closely and you will find that you are creating suffering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/if-you-are-not-in-the-state-of-either-acceptance-enjoyment-or/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“If you are in the habit of creating suffering for yourself, you are probably creating suffering for others too. These unconscious mind patterns tend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/if-you-are-in-the-habit-of-creating-suffering-for-yourself-you-are/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“If in the midst of negativity you are able to realize “At this moment I am creating suffering for myself” it will be enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/if-in-the-midst-of-negativity-you-are-able-to-realize-at-this-moment/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [If you are in the habit of creating suffering for yourself, then you are probably creating suffering for others too](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/if-you-are-in-the-habit-of-creating-suffering-for-yourself-then-you/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Let your intention be freedom from useless suffering. Then, let go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/let-your-intention-be-freedom-from-useless-suffering-then-let-go/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [Be you own hero, be your own saviour, send all your suffering into the fire. Let no foot, mark your ground, let no hand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-wolf/be-you-own-hero-be-your-own-saviour-send-all-your-suffering-into-the/) [Patrick Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-wolf/) > [ \[D\]on’t cling to your self-righteous suffering, let it go. . . . Nothing is too good to be true, let yourself be forgiven. To… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-levine/d-on-t-cling-to-your-self-righteous-suffering-let-it-go-nothing-is/) [Stephen Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-levine/) > [Suffering is our best teacher because it hangs onto us and keeps us in its grip until we have learnt that particular lesson. Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayya-khema/suffering-is-our-best-teacher-because-it-hangs-onto-us-and-keeps-us/) [Ayya Khema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayya-khema/) > [I am for the animals, I couldn't care less about your need to eat animals, wear them, shoot them or exploit them. Too bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rikki-rockett/i-am-for-the-animals-i-couldn-t-care-less-about-your-need-to-eat/) [Rikki Rockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rikki-rockett/) > [“bring to mind the feeling of being with someone who loves you, while calling up heartfelt emotions such as gratitude or fondness. Next, bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/bring-to-mind-the-feeling-of-being-with-someone-who-loves-you-while/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“How much neurologic suffering would you let your child endure before saying that death is preferable?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kalanithi/how-much-neurologic-suffering-would-you-let-your-child-endure-before/) [Paul Kalanithi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kalanithi/) > [I saw the suffering and I let myself feel it… I saw the injustice and was compelled to do something about it. I changed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-saw-the-suffering-and-i-let-myself-feel-it-i-saw-the-injustice-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/the-resistance-and-the-degree-of-the-resistance-to-the-natural/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I realize I live in a bubble, and all the opportunities are there to me. And having done a number of popular TV series,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-johnson/i-realize-i-live-in-a-bubble-and-all-the-opportunities-are-there-to/) [Eric Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-johnson/) ## More by Hubert Selby, Jr > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [But to believe that getting stuff is the purpose and aim of life is madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/but-to-believe-that-getting-stuff-is-the-purpose-and-aim-of-life-is/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I'm focusing on writing the best story I can write. 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Like you’re in a bag and you can’t get out and somebody’s always telling you that it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-it-seems-to-stand-still-like-you-re-in-a-bag-and-you-can-t/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [There's a sorrow and pain in everyone's life, but every now and then there's a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/there-s-a-sorrow-and-pain-in-everyone-s-life-but-every-now-and-then/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/the-resistance-and-the-degree-of-the-resistance-to-the-natural/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [We all need a meaning to our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/we-all-need-a-meaning-to-our-life/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I've always felt alienated. I realized that I've been terrified my entire life. So I can identify that fear which drives so many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-ve-always-felt-alienated-i-realized-that-i-ve-been-terrified-my/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I have to have a meaning in my life. If I roam around without some meaning in my life, I'm in deep and serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-have-to-have-a-meaning-in-my-life-if-i-roam-around-without-some/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [It seems to me that what the artist sees is the simple and obvious that is invisible to everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/it-seems-to-me-that-what-the-artist-sees-is-the-simple-and-obvious/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I don't know how to make the critics happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-don-t-know-how-to-make-the-critics-happy/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Obviously, I believe that to pursue the American Dream is not only futile but self-destructive because ultimately it destroys everything and everyone involved with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/obviously-i-believe-that-to-pursue-the-american-dream-is-not-only/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [My writing is inspired by just about everything, yet I am unaware of so much of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/my-writing-is-inspired-by-just-about-everything-yet-i-am-unaware-of/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [thats why you cant be worried about the world. theyll just do you in anyway. you can't depend on them because sooner or later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/thats-why-you-cant-be-worried-about-the-world-theyll-just-do-you-in/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) [Explore all 56 Hubert Selby, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. 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