Feelings Quote by Mark Williams
““The Buddha put it this way: When an untaught worldling is touched by a painful (bodily) feeling, he worries and grieves, he laments, beats his breast, weeps and is distraught. He thus experiences two kinds of feelings, a bodily and a mental feeling. It is as if a man were pierced by an arrow and, following the first piercing, he is hit by a second arrow. So that person will experience feelings caused by two arrows. But in the case of a well-taught noble disciple, when he is touched by a painful feeling, he will not worry nor grieve and lament, he will not beat his breast and weep, nor will he be distraught. It is one kind of feeling he experiences, a bodily one, but not a mental feeling. It is as if a man were pierced by an arrow, but was not hit by a second arrow following the first one. So this person experiences feelings caused by a single arrow only. (Sallatha Sutta)””
About This Quote
Source Sutta: Sallatha Sutta, Buddhist scripture, 1st century BCE
A trained mind experiences only the physical pain, not the additional mental suffering that arises from clinging to it.
In simple terms: Trained mind feels only the body pain, not extra mental anguish.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate mindfulness to stop mental amplification of pain.
Themes
mindfulness
pain
attachment
mental health
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Meditation practice
- clinical pain management
- stressful
- emotional regulation
Key Concepts
Buddhist psychology
non‑attachment
mindful awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you notice the “second arrow” in daily life?
- What practices help you stay with the first arrow only?
A Different Perspective
The approach requires sustained practice and may not eliminate all mental distress instantly.
