We Don’t Want Pleasure; We Just Want the Pain to End

Could it be that our culture of consumerism has it all wrong? Could it be that our ongoing pursuits of pleasure send us in the wrong direction? Do we want what we want or not? And, if not, does wanting the things we don’t want remove us further from what we actually want?

Video: We Don’t Want Pleasure; We Just Want the Pain to End | On Consumerism

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#consumerism #schopenhauer #simpleliving

00:00 - Intro
01:41 - Burning desire & consumerism
04:35 - We don't want what we want
07:54 - What is the solution?
10:14 - Epicureanism
11:59 - Intellectual pleasure
12:42 - Moderation

[roz]

I used to feel like there's something wrong with me... for not wanting what others want... for wanting to live a simple life with people around me living in an extravagant life (at least for me)... for not wanting romantic relationships and to have children. Because of your videos, I learned about these philosophers and I am so grateful to you. I tried to leave a comment to help you out with your algorithm. The least I can do to thank you. I hope you're in good health as you read my comment

[One-Ring-To-Rule-Them-All]

I work at a hospital and I notice healthy people have plenty of desires, but our patients have only one desire - to be healthy. Just pause for a moment and enjoy how amazing feeling it is to be healthy ❤️

[Timberhawk]

“I don’t want the cheese anymore, I just want to get out of the trap.”
– Spanish proverb

[martinwarner]

A Doctor once said to a patient, "Some people never find happiness, so, you just have to learn to be happy without it." Peace be unto you.

[spontaksback]

Don’t stop for anything, these vids keep me enlightened, aware, mindful, and ready for growth. It’s a beautiful thing, so much love to you brother. Much

[MeditativeMuse]

“I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.”
– Mahatma Gandhi. Gratitude destroys pain. Thank you for the inspiration. Great topic and beautifully presented. Blessings to you and everyone here. 💜

[richardschwarz]

One of the top human development channels on YouTube. Thanks Einzelgänger crew, love you guys

[blackcatmagic]

I think you could apply this to wanting new partners as well. People lusting after others while still in a relationship. They feel the void, they're not willing to work through their issues, so they follow their instinct of wanting something else to soothe the pain. It's a never ending cycle of using people and never truly being happy

[aakkii]

Just in case no one has told you lately, I'm proud of you ❤️For moving through the mess no matter how hard it is at times . For building resilience and strength every single time you get back up after a long and treacherous fall . For getting up every day despite the heaviness that has settled into your heart . For having the courage to persevere through the storm . For holding on to the hope that something better is awaiting you on the other side of the mountain . For continuing to cradle that hope when everything around around you is unknown . That takes strength, bravery, courage, & that is something worth being proud of ❤️👑

[aakkii]

Right now, someone is grateful for the impact you've had on them . Someone is staring at your soul - filled art in their homes and tearing up at the magic your hands created . Someone is reading your heartfelt words and feeling less alone in this world . Someone is laughing uncontrollably at the memories you share . Someone is remembering the kindness of a stranger and praying that you are healthy and whole . Someone is blessed to have known you, to have felt your love in its entirety even if it was for a brief moment in time . Someone is in awe of you and the imprint you leave on the world . Someone is inspired by your courage and strength and using it as a catalyst to dig into their own hearts, their own healing . Right now, someone out there is thankful that you exist 🙏🏻❤️

[cariyaputta]

Very true. If you were to just endure the desire, and don't act out of it, then you can truly see its true color. This is why having a moral code or precepts is so important. To wisely set a limit for ourselves is to come closer to actual freedom.

[trent]

From someone dealing with chronic pain, yes, I can tell you that pleasure is just not being in pain

[pprsstvz]

Once when I told my mom how interested I was in philosophy she told me in a jokingly manner: "no don't go on a philosophy college, you'll end up smoking weed and only talking about life with no action." And I agree that there is not that much jobs to do as a philosopher, but I'm glad I kept that interest in philosophy since gems like these videos give me some food for my thoughts and actually make me learn something valuable! Love your videos!

[carajneesh]

I hurt me leg yesterday and now I just want my pain to end. Makes me realise that absence of pain is the most underrated pleasure. 😏

[bechemayuk]

“All human behaviour is spurred by the desire to escape discomfort.” - Nir Eyal

[BambiLena]

I think its important to note when considering this, that even the monks that devoted their lives to removing desire from themselves ultimately never really managed to do it, even with employing all kinds of strategies to try and be rid of desires. I think in the end, the most important thing is to cultivate how you think about yourself and your desires, and where they come from. And dont be hard on yourself for your wants. These desires are there for a reason, you just need to figure out why is it there and if thats the course to get to the underlying goal. And sometimes it is.

[xenomania]

I typically refrain from writing comments anywhere online, but wow, this is such a well-timed video, thank you very much for it! I was pondering this topic for a while now, and lack pf any meaningful answer drove me crazy.

[thewise]

I always feel at my unhappiest when people say to me that I should strive for more. I was completely content until up until that point.

"Happy" was John Lennon's answer when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. The teacher said "I don't think you understand the question" he replied "I don't think you understand life"

[carlosandresmirandafabila]

I really dislike how people says "Shopping is my therapy" or "my starbucks coffee gives me happiness". No, happiness and pleasure are not the same thing. You can experience pleasure all day long and still feel empty by the end of the day. They are doping themselves to stay away from pain rather than purchasing these things for an authentic happiness or a real need. It´s not bad to give yourself nice things, but pursuing pleasure 24/7 leads to be slave to the things that give those nice feelings and distract yourself of the uncomfortable ones, and because of that, you don´t know how to deal and cure your pain, because you don´t longer know where it comes from. Knowing where your pain comes from and allowing yourself to feel it, it´s the first step to transform it and heal

[mellevangils]

This is so true. When you’re in a positive state there is no good or bad and no desires