the myth of satisfaction

[encore]

human brain is wired to crave constantly. there is no such thing as ever having "enough" of something, permanently. it's always the next milestone, the next experience, the next person, place, hobby. human desire is a powerful, untamed beast that forces us to make progress and achieve. it forces us to stay alive and keep trying, in hopes that the next thing will be it, or we are simply anticipating that dopamine rush which makes life worth living.

but the truth is, there are plenty of people at their deathbeds saying just how fast their lives seemed to have flown by. how they still have things they will miss, things they wish they could experience. the "tiredness" is either explained by a physical disability or a debilitating mental illness, without which the endless cycle of desire would never be broken. you can never achieve true peace and satisfaction for as long as you live; it doesn't matter when you die, as there will always be things you still haven't done or tried yet.

which, in my opinion, makes chasing life very pointless. you can stay and do as much as you can, but it will never feel "enough". desire is painful. it's thirst that can never be quenched, it's hunger that can never be satiated, desire makes the most beautiful people turn into ugly beasts the moment they go against their own morality just to fulfill it.

the true satisfaction can only be reached in the state of non-existence. you have nothing, which means you desire nothing. there is no "you" anymore. no ego, no flesh, no "social ladder" to climb, no people to impress and appease. non-existence is the perfect state of peace; there is no suffering to perceive, and no pain to inflict.

 

[DivineSpark]

As someone who struggles with anhedonia (on and off thing) it is hard to enjoy anything in life. But you are right, humans are never truly satisfied, we always crave for more.

 

[mikgazer6]

Very well said.

 

[Jealous Blackheart]

Everything you described about non-existence is what monks do through yoga and meditation.

Perhaps due to my anhedonia I find managing desire a lot more manageable. It's like eating and stopping before you're full. Or having only a spoon of ice cream. Only a kiss. Only a verse. It may not be easy for everyone but it is possible to just.. stop.

 

[encore]

Everything you described about non-existence is what monks do through yoga and meditation.

Perhaps due to my anhedonia I find managing desire a lot more manageable. It's like eating and stopping before you're full. Or having only a spoon of ice cream. Only a kiss. Only a verse. It may not be easy for everyone but it is possible to just.. stop.

you are totally right. i look up to monks a lot. personally my brain is way overly active (thanks adhd!) so for me desire and specifically being hyperfixated on something is nearly impossible to manage while unmedicated... it's funny, i feel like anhedonia and adhd are kinda the opposites on a spectrum