Able Quote by Sharon Salzberg
“It's difficult to admit to ourselves that we suffer. We feel humiliated, like we should have been able to control our pain. If someone else is suffering, we like to tuck them away, out of sight. It's a cruel, cruel conditioning. There is no controlling the unfolding of life.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer, 2007
We deny our own pain out of shame, yet we try to hide others' suffering, revealing a cultural taboo against vulnerability.
In simple terms: People hide pain and avoid others' suffering.
Key Takeaway
Accept and name your pain.
Themes
vulnerability
shame
acceptance
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- support groups
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
social conditioning
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shame affect your willingness to seek help?
- What can you do to support others without avoiding their pain?
A Different Perspective
Pain cannot be fully controlled, only acknowledged.
