--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The point is not to resist painful…" description: "\"“The point is not to resist painful experiences or grasp at pleasant ones: that's a kind of craving - and craving leads to suffering. The art is to fin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/rick-hanson-10793_art_the-point-is-not-to-resist-painful-exper_3085170.jpg" --- # The point is not to resist painful experiences or grasp at… ![“The point is not to resist painful experiences or grasp at pleasant ones: that's a kind of craving - and craving leads to suffering. The art is to find a balance in which you remain mindful, accepting, and curious regarding difficult experiences - while also taking in supportive feelings and…” quote by Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/rick-hanson-10793_art_the-point-is-not-to-resist-painful-exper_3085170.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/rick-hanson-10793_art_the-point-is-not-to-resist-painful-exper_3085170.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cef/rick-hanson-10793_art_the-point-is-not-to-resist-painful-exper_3085170.jpg) > ““The point is not to resist painful experiences or grasp at pleasant ones: that's a kind of craving - and craving leads to suffering. The art is to find a balance in which you remain mindful, accepting, and curious regarding difficult experiences - while also taking in supportive feelings and thoughts.”” [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balance mindfulness, acceptance, and curiosity toward pain while also embracing supportive feelings. **In simple terms:** Accept pain, welcome support. Key Takeaway Cultivate mindful balance. Themes mindfulness acceptance curiosity balance Mood thoughtful encouraging Type psychological practical When to use this quote - stress management - therapy - self‑care - meditation Key Concepts craving suffering mental health Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay curious amid difficulty? - What supportive thoughts help you now? A Different Perspective Hard to stay balanced during intense distress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Neuroscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neuroscience/) [Painful experiences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful-experiences/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [“That you can all of a sudden out of nowhere want to get high with your Substance so bad that you think you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/that-you-can-all-of-a-sudden-out-of-nowhere-want-to-get-high-with/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [ “\[I\]f you can be with the pleasant without chasing after it, with the unpleasant without resisting it, and with the neutral without ignoring it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/i-f-you-can-be-with-the-pleasant-without-chasing-after-it-with-the/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“The apparent wall between your body and the world is more like a picket fence. 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