Becoming Quote by Rachel Naomi Remen
“We have become terribly vulnerable, not because we suffer but because we have separated ourselves from each other. A patient once told me that he had tried to ignore his own suffering and the suffering of other people because he had wanted to be happy. Yet becoming numb to suffering will not make us happy. The part in us that feels suffering is the same as the part that feels joy.”
About This Quote
Human vulnerability arises from social disconnection; ignoring suffering blocks both pain and joy, preventing true happiness.
In simple terms: Being isolated makes us vulnerable and numb to both suffering and joy.
Key Takeaway
Reconnect with others to experience authentic happiness.
Themes
connection
vulnerability
empathy
wellbeing
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- community building
- support groups
- family gatherings
Key Concepts
psychology
humanism
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does ignoring others' pain affect your own joy?
- What steps can you take to rebuild connection?
A Different Perspective
Numbness may protect temporarily but deepens isolation and distress.
![“When you see those in healthcare who don't get this burn-out, they are very motherly, fatherly, or loving and attentive with the patients. [These] wonderful caretakers, doctors, and nurses don't get as much burn-out as people who are more defensive of the feelings and suffering of others.” quote by Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aaa/matthieu-ricard-4004_burn-out_when-you-see-those-in-healthcare-who-don_221267.jpg)
