Why We Need Some Pain in Our Lives: 7 Quotes From David Goggins
“I teach suffering (Dukkha), its origin, cessation, and path. That’s all I teach,”, declared the Buddha 2500 years ago.
However, most people dismiss the teachings of Buddha because of the word suffering. The word Dukka is in Pali and unlike English can mean much more than just the word suffering.
Buddha’s real intention was not to say we are meant to suffer all the time. Instead, he teaches us that as we separate from our true nature, we are inclined to be in a state of dissatisfaction.
Understanding that is the key to true happiness.
Unfortunately, today, we define happiness superficially. Look no further than Instagram to see how we define happiness—money, achievements, fame, and other bling symbols. Our values have become diluted yet the simple eternal truth remains that as humans what we crave most in our lives is a sense of meaning.
To understand joy, meaning, and what gives us lasting happiness means we must endure pain, discomfort, and suffering. “To live is to suffer,” as Nietzsche said.
For many, a harsh or poor upbringing means that they are imbued with a certain toughness and drive that many who are born into middle-class upbringing don’t have. However, as the world moves away from poverty to a higher living standard, we are thus becoming more comfortable.
The reality is that comfort breeds complacency, and complacency brings on mediocrity which leads many to an unfulfilled life.
I think the only way we can create meaning in our lives and grow is when we endure some suffering first. How can we feel joy when we haven’t felt its polar opposite? The pain we feel gives us hunger and appreciation for the joy we feel afterward.
David Goggins epitomizes what suffering, as defined by the Buddha, can achieve, physically at least. His book, Can’t Hurt Me, is a must-read.
Goggins is a retired Navy Seal, elite ultramarathon runner, triathlete and all-round endurance nut. In 2013, he broke the record for most pullups in 24 hours. In the military, he is the only man to complete SEAL training, US Army Ranger School, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. He has been commonly referred to as ‘The Hardest Man Alive,’ and it’s hard to disagree.
However, the exciting thing about Goggin’s story is that his life has never been a smooth ride. Life has knocked him down over and over again. From his father abusing him when he was a child, growing up on food stamps and a poor upbringing. He’s had to fight all his life for what he wanted, always pushing through barrier after barrier coming out stronger each time.
Only because of the pain he’s gone through, has he lived a brilliant life. He trains intensely pushing himself sometimes too extremely. He was hardening his body to “callous his mind” as he refers to it, so that he could handle whatever life throws at him.
These are Goggins best quotes/lessons:
#1 Motivation is not enough
“Motivation can provide the spark, but what keeps the flame going and growing, is a deep drive. It’s internal, not an external source.”
#2: Be True to Yourself
”The only way I became successful was going towards the truth. As painful and as brutal as it is, it changed me. It allowed me to become, in my own right, who I am today.”
#3: The Accountability Mirror
”Look in the mirror and ask, “What have I done today to improve myself?”
#4: Stay Uncivilized
“The worst things that can happen to a man is to become civilized “
#5: No Quick fixes
“Everybody wants a quick fix like 6-minute abs – you may get some results from it, but those results won’t be permanent. The permanent results come from you having to suffer. You have to make that a tattoo on your brain so that when the hard time comes again, you don’t forget it.”
#6: 40% rule.
“Sadly, most of us give up when we’ve only given around 40 percent of our maximum effort. Even when we feel like we’ve reached our absolute limit, we still have 60 percent more to give!”
#7: Callous your mind.
“People take classes on self-help, mental toughness, breathing control – the only way to get tougher is to put yourself in hellacious situations…You have to build calluses on your brain just like how you build calluses on your hands.
I think back to my preparation for a half-marathon race five years ago. I would get up regularly at 4.30 am and be laced up and ready to run by 5am. Then after a 60-90-minute slog under hot and humid conditions would take an ice bath to help with the swelling of my knees.
By 8.30am I’d be at work to continue the rest of the day as normal, only with a big internal smile and a feeling as if I’ve conquered the world. The joy would last for the whole day.
Now, go suffer a little or at least enough to feel some discomfort.
Remember on the other side of pain and suffering is the treasure we are all seeking.