--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The second noble truth says that…" description: "\"“The second noble truth says that resistance is the fundamental operating mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering.”\" — Pema..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/pema-ch-dr-n-327_life_the-second-noble-truth-says-that-resista_1832753.png" --- # The second noble truth says that resistance is the… ![“The second noble truth says that resistance is the fundamental operating mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering.” quote by Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/pema-ch-dr-n-327_life_the-second-noble-truth-says-that-resista_1832753.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/pema-ch-dr-n-327_life_the-second-noble-truth-says-that-resista_1832753.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/pema-ch-dr-n-327_life_the-second-noble-truth-says-that-resista_1832753.png) > ““The second noble truth says that resistance is the fundamental operating mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering.”” [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Resisting life fuels suffering; the ego’s mechanism is to oppose experience, causing pain. **In simple terms:** Resistance creates suffering. Key Takeaway Accept life to reduce suffering. Themes ego resistance suffering mindfulness Mood calm compassionate Type spiritual instructional When to use this quote - daily stress - relationships - personal growth Key Concepts impermanence attachment Questions to Reflect On - What does resistance look like for you? - How can you practice acceptance? A Different Perspective Acceptance can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resistance/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [The second noble truth says that this resistance is the...mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-second-noble-truth-says-that-this-resistance-is-the-mechanism-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The amount of stress in your life is determined by how much energy you expend resisting your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-amount-of-stress-in-your-life-is-determined-by-how-much-energy/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [resisting life, he finds that the Self is more than his own being; it includes the whole universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-furlong/resisting-life-he-finds-that-the-self-is-more-than-his-own-being-it/) [Monica Furlong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-furlong/) > [Pain is the price you pay for resisting life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/pain-is-the-price-you-pay-for-resisting-life/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [“I had no way of knowing that resisting grief also meant resisting life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-mac/i-had-no-way-of-knowing-that-resisting-grief-also-meant-resisting-life/) [J.L. Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-mac/) > [“Sometimes we may seem to be resisting letting go, when really, we just can't see a way to move forward — believing things can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/sometimes-we-may-seem-to-be-resisting-letting-go-when-really-we-just/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Instead of resisting any emotion, the best way to dispel it is to enter it fully, embrace it and see through your resistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/instead-of-resisting-any-emotion-the-best-way-to-dispel-it-is-to/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dalrymple/when-people-are-forced-to-remain-silent-when-they-are-being-told-the/) [Theodore Dalrymple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dalrymple/) > [“Just think about this: how long can you hold your arms outwards in an attempt to block another person? 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