Life Quote by Pema Chödrön
““There is a common misunderstanding among all the human beings who have ever been born on earth that the best way to live is to try to avoid pain and just try to get comfortable. You see this even in insects and animals and birds. All of us are the same. A much more interesting, kind and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop our curiosity, not caring whether the object of our curiosity is bitter or sweet. To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms, to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life than that, we must realize that we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what this world is, how we tick and how our world ticks, how the whole thing just is . If we are committed to comfort at any cost, as soon as we come up against the least edge of pain, we’re going to run; we’ll never know what’s beyond that particular barrier or wall or fearful thing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Places That Scare You, Pema Chödrön, 2001
True growth comes from embracing curiosity and pain rather than seeking only comfort.
In simple terms: Curiosity and pain lead to deeper understanding.
Embrace discomfort to discover yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal development
- creative pursuits
- learning new skills
- overcoming fear
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What discomfort could you explore today?
- How might curiosity change your view of challenges?
Avoiding pain can limit learning and stagnate personal evolution.