Pursue Pain, Not Pleasure - Why Comfort is Crippling You

[@academyofideas]

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[@egrytznr8893]

Maybe AOI should get out of the computer chair, away from the cushy online social media "job", and bust theirasss working all day like the rest of us do? Get out of the subjective bubble and experience real objective reality. experience the real world, the world that 99% percent of people don't have the luxury of ignoring or being naive of.

[@PJCG06]

The Comfort Crisis: Pursue Pain, Not Pleasure In this thought-provoking video, the Academy of Ideas delves into the intriguing relationship between pleasure, pain, and comfort. The central thesis is that our modern lives, filled with comforts and pleasures, may actually be contributing to our mental and physical malaise. Let’s explore some key points from the video: 1. Luxury and Pain: The video begins by quoting the Greek orator and philosopher Dio Chrysostom, who observed that luxury can make pains seem even harder and weaken one’s pleasures. In other words, excessive comfort can dull our ability to endure pain and diminish our capacity to experience pleasure. This paradoxical relationship challenges our assumptions about what truly contributes to well-being. 2. Modern Comforts: The modern West offers unparalleled comforts and pleasures. We have access to technology, processed foods, entertainment, and distractions that kings of old could not have imagined. However, despite this abundance, many people suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and physical ailments. The question arises: Why are we struggling despite our comfort? 3. Hunter-Gatherer Ancestors: To understand the contrast, the video invites us to consider the lives of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. They faced physical challenges daily-walking miles to find water, foraging for food, and engaging in persistence hunting. Their livelihood required constant physical activity, making them essentially professional athletes. They didn’t “work out” because their daily lives were already intense exercise. 4. Mental Stress and Nature: Beyond physical exertion, our ancestors endured mental stress without the crutches of technology or distractions. They faced the elements-rain, sun, wind-without the comforts of modern housing. Sickness and infections were part of their reality, and they coped without the aid of modern medicine. Their resilience came from facing discomfort head-on. 5. The Comfort Crisis: Michael Easter’s book, “The Comfort Crisis,” highlights our lack of physical struggles in today’s world. We no longer work hard for our food, move heavy objects daily, or experience deep hunger. Instead, we numb ourselves with comfort food, smartphones, and sedentary lifestyles. The side effects of comfort include long-term physical and mental health problems. 6. Pleasure and Pain: The video emphasizes that pleasure and pain are intertwined. Pursuing only pleasure without experiencing discomfort weakens our ability to appreciate joy. It’s akin to a muscle that atrophies when not used. By seeking out challenges and embracing discomfort, we can build resilience and a deeper appreciation for life’s pleasures. In summary, “Pursue Pain, Not Pleasure” encourages us to reevaluate our relationship with comfort. Perhaps true fulfillment lies not in avoiding pain but in embracing it as a necessary counterpart to pleasure. As we navigate our modern lives, we should consider how our comforts may be subtly crippling us. Dio Chrysostom’s ancient wisdom still resonates today: balance between pleasure and pain is essential for a richer, more meaningful existence.

[@au9parsec]

Embracing comfort leads to pain, and embracing pain leads to happiness.

[@Afflictamine]

@@egrytznr8893 absolute midwit take

[@egrytznr8893]

@@Afflictamine sorry, I was being insensitive to the supposed 27% of people mentioned in the video who don't do any physical activity whatsoever based on the kind of job they work, and assuming the channel creators were in that group. my bad

[@mojorising1]

The feeling you get when you meet your basic needs after hard work, a cool breeze on a hot day under a shade tree. That's when I feel happy.

[@hectorg362]

Yep, enjoying a cold beer after a long hard day work is so rewarding instead of just beige drinking.

[@mr.forbes7300]

Truth !

[@july23rdchild]

The PRICE you PAY for TRUE FREEDOM is RESPONSIBILITY.

[@martinwarner1178]

@@hectorg362 Beige, what beer are you supping?

[@Scottadamsfan3481]

@@hectorg362gross . All alcohol is poison and a substance addiction

[@AnabolicAsylum89]

Getting in shape was worth every second of pain

[@brandonmeens]

If you know the outcome you want, but aren’t willing to sacrifice for it, you’ve failed yourself

[@brandonmusick77]

Quality gear makes it faster tho.

[@somerled5513]

Working out is not real pain. Muscle soreness is not pain.

[@PurifyWithLight]

@@brandonmusick77 Weak people look for fastest ways to comfort.

[@littlehollow]

@@brandonmusick77 weakness.

[@PapaPalpsO66]

I at 38 was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer last month. Many friends reach out asking how im doing and are in surprise when I say I'm doing great. I've always been active but since my diagnoses I've increased and pushed my physical activities to point never before. I've also come to peace with any outcome this may bring. This video resonates well with me today

[@sam12345506]

Fair play to you buddy. I too am 38 and in my 30’s I have adopted the attitude of, “If I eat, sleep and exercise really, really well, while embracing all the little pains and pleasures life throws at me, then I will be at peace with any outcome, even if it means a lack of success in the eyes of others.” Good luck to you in future 👍

[@mikeblackist]

Try this: Wormwood tea, 200ml in the morning- and before bed. Kernel seeds, not more than 4 a day. Carrots juice. 3 glasses a day. 1 hour of running, in the morning. 1 at lunchtime, 1 before bed. I fight liver cancer, prostate and colon at the same time. Eat only organic, cut sugar and carbs and any processed foods. Avoid chemo, as it kills your immune system to fight the disease. You will heal in the Lord Jesus' Name. We will prevail. God Bless!

[@kessiosharon]

Google Thomas Seyfried

[@marlonscloud]

I hope you're doing well man

[@PapaPalpsO66]

@marlonscloud thanks, I appreciate it. On Chemo now which comes with its challenges but nothing that's strong enough to keep me down. So ya im doing really well. Thanks!

[@GymGarageMan]

Was called too old at 50! Started training in crumbling garage lifting rocks doing pushups on paint cans pullups on beams got ripped af at 53 years old!!!

[@CatGirl-ny8dw]

Just checked your channel garageman brutal training keep it up grandpa 🔥

[@sandrashane677]

I pulled a muscle in my arse doing squats. Periformis muscle hitting off my sciatic nerve. Not fun. Squats are no joke. lol.

[@workoutgirl4231]

Absolutely proving it on your channel garageman Subbed💪

[@1vicjustice]

Love it brother..

[@Ryan-wx1bi]

I'm sure the 💉 helped. I can see the gyno in your pfp

[@scottroth6803]

A society addicted to comfort is too weak to fight off a tyrannical government, especially when it offers comfort

[@robertharsch8131]

Hence our current situation. Nicely said!!!

[@jasonmoss-qk8oh]

we don't have governments they are corporations masquerading as government

[@Crumbsoftotailtariansim]

@@flowerpower8722 They might in the present/future, soft totalitarianism/Brave New World.

[@lostvayne9146]

@@flowerpower8722 societies run by tyrannical governments do not have the capability to fight back hence they do not have comfort. this is not the case with the west. As such, they are addicted to comfort and thus too weak to fight off a tyrannical government even when they have the means to.

[@dutchman063]

Tyrannical government... thats antisemetic

[@ScreamingManiac]

been saying this for years, we live in so much comfort that we can't even stay consistent between what we want and what we do. Our thoughts are influenced to seek comfort even against our own interests. People become incapacitated by choosing between two goals, long term success & happiness and short term comfort/entertainment. The more we reside in a space where everything is easy the harder it becomes to resist the temptation to stay.

[@antonyjh1234]

Hang on, isn't the goal to make things easier for us and the next generations, otherwise what are doing this for? Comfort for millions of people, better than kings and queens of a hundred years ago should be applauded yet here we are saying comfort can't be a goal. The problem is the lack of appreciation of comfort and it only being a fairly new thing for the masses one could see how it might be taken too far but it's not comfort that is crippling me.

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

hard times create strong people strong people create easy times easy times create weak people weak people create hard times

[@ennuiblue4295]

LMAO, maybe *YOU* do! 🤣

[@mikeoglen6848]

@@antonyjh1234 Your opening sentence is Ridiculous.

[@yozshu]

@@antonyjh1234 You're right.

[@williamswetnam4070]

A few years ago I got tired of being fat. I joined an exercise group (TOPS), started eating properly, walking 3 to 5 miles every day.... I lost 55 pounds and arrived at my goal. It wasn't easy but I did it.

[@elpretender1357]

Congratulations. May your story be a source of inspiration to all those around you

[@jacqueslee2592]

How long did it take you? How many hours per day? How did you balance other responsibilities?

[@mikeoglen6848]

Congrats Bro!

[@theghoulgals2474]

Nice👍

[@leanysealvarado7499]

Congratulations 🎉🍾🎊🎈

[@UncleDouglas-rc6mr]

No greatness ever came by comfort.

[@beingsshepherd]

We should all be striving for greatness?

[@Alexander_KB]

@@beingsshepherd Yes 100%

[@Sweethands4]

There is no greatness, that's only perception.

[@ABCDuwachui]

What are you great at?

[@MrMcguire89]

Water is wet lol. Innovation and change come from the fringe being on the outside. Comfort only keeps up the status-quo. And those who like the status quo are bias towards that very environment, so yes. You are correct.

[@TheTrueRandomGamer]

Not necessarily pain. Just restraint and discipline. Control over your desires will free you.

[@JustAutistic]

Yes, basically.

[@Gabriel-fj7hm]

Discipline is painful. Controlling desires and imposing restraint is painful. But it's a pain that leads to meaning and growth!

[@MrJamesdryable]

He means pain in the broadest sense, i.e. the pain of restraint and discipline.

[@MrJamesdryable]

@@Gabriel-fj7hm Exactly.

[@emiliog.4432]

Not literal or actual pain of the flesh. Discomfort. Struggle. Doing things that are hard. Kids with helicopter parents never learn to adapt and become crippled by hard or difficult circumstances. Fear becomes the norm.

[@MainlineIodine]

Pain is mandatory, suffering is optional.

[@gasmith7486]

Pain is inevitable and suffering is optional. Hurt is inevitable and misery is optional.

[@Northstar2000]

Sounds like what your mother said last night during rawdogging

[@johnypixels]

@@gasmith7486 its not optional when youre depressed

[@peteschaub7561]

I love this sentiment

[@suefleming]

Thank you so much!! Great advice!!❤❤❤

[@johncrusade1270]

Just like the old saying “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” -Michael Hopf

[@genghiskahl4102]

Similar to the cycle of Democracy.

[@suefleming]

It's a never-ending cycle.

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

But then hard times create strong men again. Presumably

[@Slimeyeddread247]

What... this is one of the best quotes iv ever heard

[@aliasanew3398]

Shoutout to all my addicts out there. 1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour at a time. Abstain. We got this.

[@JimmyfromPhilly1-ub4hq]

Almost 16 months sober!!!

[@jedics1]

It takes the highest level of discipline to abstain by choice when everything is within arms reach, especially long term like eating only once a day, I did it for 7 months and it was truly an eye opener, to be eating less than half what I used to and still be able to maintain the same level of activity is incredible, how little you actually need and how efficient our bodies are. I really need to go back to one meal a day, it simplified my life, halved my food bill and got me to a healthier weight oh and you look forward to and appreciate what ever your having for dinner rather than not knowing what you want because your bored of every meal option.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Wise Words - I think.

[@pugsymalone6539]

This is also true for our pets. I cook whole foods for my dogs and they require less, have lost weight, become more bright and active...and produce 50% less waste. White meat chicken, bone broth, canned pumpkin mixed with a very generous portion of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli or Brussels sprouts.) Manuka honey, and supplements for joints and collagen. Also a supplement for gut health which contains pre and probiotics. This diet cured chronic bladder infection in a 15 year old dog...no more blood in his urine.

[@peteschaub7561]

When you ate one meal a day, what time did you eat it? Sounds really appealing to me.

[@jedics1]

@@peteschaub7561 As late as possible but usually between 4 and 8 pm because I find sleeping much easier when tummy not empty. Ate mostly healthy and as much as I wanted. Its called intermittent fasting.

[@reedbender1179]

@@jedics1 It's called being "an old age pensioner !"🤫

[@discodan2265]

100% you can experience good pain from exercise or horrible pain from a sedentary lifestyle. Movement is key. ❤

[@48038]

Fascinating facts

[@AshtarMichael]

I have come to this perspective through experience and insight; When things get really bad, the ones who have suffered and survived much... and found their path through, seeing the value in every experience, will be the ones who make it.

[@achinthmurali5207]

In my experience, the one who take advantage of others or know how to game the system are the ones who succeeded and make it

[@AshtarMichael]

@achinthmurali5207 that's appearing that way to you for a reason. I don't see truth, values, etc. in those people, it speaks to their truth within they fear... not the appearance they want others to have.

[@Hedgehog3342]

​@@achinthmurali5207those kinds of people tend to fall at some point. They'll realize their ineptitude through their fraudulent ways and demise will soon follow.

[@Earl_E_Burd]

@@AshtarMichael Whatever you got to tell yourself

[@AshtarMichael]

@@Earl_E_Burd that's true for everyone

[@rickshaw3397]

This came up while im pondering the importance of leg day. Thank you for the inspiration to not skip

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Don’t be the skip let day guy. They always look odd

[@svenheuseveldt7188]

@@johngoldsworthy7135 my legs are to big so i skip them, is that okay?

[@hectorfernandez4098]

"God created Leg Day to test the faithful"

[@noblesavage6858]

Just did them myself

[@TheHulksMistress]

I thought skipping is good for the legs

[@76ersfan24]

It's insane how much comfort we live in, and perversely, the people living today are the ones who least deserve to bask in it. But it's so easy to fall into the trap of scrolling through your phone or watching television instead of doing something useful and difficult. This is part of the reason why I started refereeing basketball games a few years ago - it's extremely uncomfortable, difficult, and painful both mentally and physically. Do things that you don't want to do, and you will master yourself. Excellent video, keep it up!

Who are you to judge who deserves what? We live in the times we are born into, just like everyone else throughout history.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Yes, but not all times were Decadent - like the present Times.

[@senglomein5766]

well you could also say that our current abundance of pleasurable things & leisurely days is not a Net Benefit as we have more depression and silly sicknesses than our fore fathers. A curse disguised as a gift.

[@saturationstation1446]

i hope you mean the people living comfortably today dont deserve it. otherwise thats just kind of the same as sayiing "WOW I LOVE MONARCHY AND THINK ITS AWESOME WHEN INBR3D PEOPLE DECIDE THE FATE OF EVERYONE ELSE"

[@saturationstation1446]

@@senglomein5766 those things existing isnt causing mass depression. the fact that 99% of the human species fate has already been decided for them, and that fate being getting murdered with labor induced starvation against your will, is what causes depression. its when half assing born well off people look you in the eye every day and tell you that no amount of work you could do can result in you deserving to be alive while not starving to death, that cause 100% of the depression on earth. the only other depression that can happen is from drug induced down regulation.

[@void4954]

Transitioning from the military to civilian, this really hits hard. I feel the complacency dragging me.

[@SolidSnake-cn7mo]

I know the feeling.

[@Styxswimmer]

Same here. I was a beast in the military but now, all I do is lift weights. I don't run, swim or hike anymore.

[@D-train69]

I'm in construction. I consider any construction worker as a under paid athlete. Truth.

[@Maryland_Kulak]

You probably get this video. You’ve probably been out in the cold weather for 12 hours and then get in your car to come home and appreciate the car heat. You get home and take a shower and ponder the miracle of hot water from the shower head. I’m amazed at how few people commenting here have any concept of discomfort.

[@Bucky1836]

Former Texas Roofer....much respect

[@Bucky1836]

​@@Maryland_Kulak12 hurs in the cold esp with wind i couldnt stand heated rooms from the wind burn room temp was comfortable enough

[@spiritlevelstudios]

Underpaid? Yeh good one. You live in China or something?

[@deborahb.3736]

I compare the men across the street that work from dawn to dusk in all weather building a hotel.. to my two male roommates that think they are hard done by when they have to work for 6 hours driving around in a truck spraying trees. real men versus boys in man bodies.

[@jonathangmallender]

This is one of the best videos I've seen in a while and I've gone through this process. I smoked weed for 25 years, did no exercise at all, and suffered with constant illness, stress, anxiety and depression. Then 6 years ago, I was declining even faster. So, I stopped smoking and drinking, started weight training 5-6 days a week and began walking everywhere. Six years later, all the negatives in my life have gone - no more anxiety and depression, rarely get ill. Self confidence has sky rocketed. Body is fitter in my mid fifties, than in my twenties. Literally everything in this video is absolutely spot on. We've been sold a lie that life should be easy and comfortable.

[@creativeman17]

@jonathangmallender Thank you for this. I am 81 and relate to much of what you said, but not all of course. I am almost in the best shape of my life because of the issues you have described. It takes discipline and thanks to the U.S.M.C. I have embraced discipline all of my life. (Even in my bad habit days!) We always need to exercise our minds, body, and spirit; endure the pain therein, and,especially, thank God!

[@justporter]

As I get older, earn more money, and slowly acquire every physical thing I've ever wanted, I may finally be understanding why sometimes I am so unhappy. This video was an eye opener for me. Only I can control how happy I am and I need to make some changes to earn that happiness.

[@meinishikawa3730]

I agree, I have gone through a similar experience myself.

[@TH-mq3fk]

Just got to find peace, the flesh can't be satisfied.

[@jonfernandez8027]

I've been told once a certain amount of annual income is achieved, more seems excessive and unnecessary. With today's inflation, that level is around 70k. I'm under that amount, and yet grateful for what I have. Because I know others have less than me and make it work. There was an experiment that took a dozen people that were instructed to write down their biggest problem, fold up their piece of paper, and collect it in a bowl. The 12 pieces of paper were mixed up and redistributed. All 12 wanted their problem back.

[@Barsaman75]

this needs to be heard, because comfort is the bane of our modern world

[@niccoloflorence]

Comfort is a kind of submission before authority; pain: a rebellion, a fire, a storm to overthrow existing circumstances.

[@achinthmurali5207]

Have you ever stubbed your toe before? What kind of rebellion is that?

[@niccoloflorence]

@achinthmurali5207 After stubbing, have you tried to walk again? That kind of pain...

Explain?

[@antonyjh1234]

We have comfort for millions of people, better than kings and queens of a hundred years ago yet here we are saying comfort can't be a goal and it's a submission? I'll submit to comfort over pain if you got comfort going, isn't that why I have suffered so much pain, to be comfortable and pain free?

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

stubbing your toe should teach you to look where you are going not being a blind zombie with your face transfixed and mesmerised by your black scrying window

[@arthurteo8111]

No wonder I feel so good after a rigorous run. The physical struggle to get to the end point is so invigorating. Comfort only feels good after that.

[@highlyillogical9399]

There is so much truth in all of this. My life was already good, but I've begun purposefully abstaining from certain pleasures to help me appreciate them more. I even chose a career that requires me to live abroad for months in substandard conditions. I exercise regularly and do intermittent fasting too. The difference in my mental and physicalhealth has been night and day. I've become more resilient, focused, and appreciative of the life I have. I refuse to let overstimulation or overindulgence dull my ability to experience pleasure. I'm in awe of how much more I enjoy eating good food, vacationing, or even just chilling at home with my family after going without for awhile.

[@Hyderagean]

Been saying this for decades. Noticing reality on reality's terms and sharing that with others just gets you ostracized.

[@Kane-ez]

IMHO you are far better off keep up the good work.

[@cheapsoot1981]

❤

Why do you feel the need to share it and to be accepted? Just live your life and mind your business. People can choose for themselves how to live, even if it is in ignorance. None of us know enough to give anyone advice.

[@Hedgehog3342]

This. I been saying a lot of stuff that pertain to reality and yet get ridiculed. But i stay strong and i dont let what others say get to me. You right on the path. Stay the course.

[@reflectiveCharm]

Too many choices and distractions can lead people to feel overwhelmed, indecisive, and unable to focus on what truly matters to them. Resulting in the many problems we face in society.

[@Redbird4912]

I like this video. "Happiness is the seed of unhappiness" (a Buddhist quote). In the same way, pleasure is the seed of pain and suffering. By letting go of our attachments to the pursuit of desire, pleasure and comfort we reveal the constant contentment that lies within all of us. The pursuit of discomfort, in our lives (a Stoic principle) becomes the antidote to easy living and the gateway to personal contentment and inner peace. Always be seeking challenges that take you outside your comfort zone. The more you let go of desire, pleasure and comfort the more content you will become. That recommendation to abstain from pleasure for a month, to reset your pleasure receptors is a great idea and will teach to develop discipline and control over your thoughts and emotions.

[@wajeehaqasim271]

I have rarely left comments on KZbin channels but your channel deserves one. It has helped me see perspective even during times when i thought nothing would give me hope. You have a way of articulation and eloquence that strikes a cord for sure. Also goes to show how intelligent and aware you are as a person. Keep up the good work! 👍

[@tony-c9w8m]

I pursued pain and had two great kids with her. They're grown and have moved on but the pain remains.

[@Earl_E_Burd]

They perpetuate unnecessary chaos. Nature's design

[@juanluisvegasalazar8767]

😂

[@jenbodhi1133]

You should’ve picked better

[@midwestribeye7820]

My husband and I are growing to be old 'pains' to each other. And, we wouldn't have it any other way. I'll love my 'Pain' forever. ❤

[@kimberlyfowler5748]

Lol😂

[@paulshirt2406]

I love this and it is so true. I’ve learned over the last few years to seek out discomfort at every opportunity. Fasting daily, weight training etc. The cold shower in the depth of winter has a payoff of pleasure for hours afterwards. It both physical and mental pain, if you can win that battle with your mind to step into that freezing water every day, you will feel like you can accomplish anything.

[@oakgnarl5021]

One way I've thought about it is that it's best to acknowledge that pain and discomfort will come, it's an inevitability. The more you meet it on your terms, doing the hard (but beneficial!) things: fasting, exercising, meditating, working hard, etc., consciously suffering as a deliberate choice, the less you have to suffer later while having no choice about it (poverty, disease, stress). I think the former is much preferable to the latter. That being said, I'm not a fan of seeking pain purely for its own sake in some kind of reverse-hedonism, but rather accepting the pain of engaging in actions which are both beneficial or productive as well as difficult and uncomfortable, motivated primarily not by greater enjoyment of carnal pleasures, but rather to act responsibly and beneficially toward our family and other loved ones... to truly honor and appreciate the life we have been given by acting in accordance with its highest well being. I believe this requires that both pleasure and pain be accepted with a certain humility, but that neither be primary ends of themselves.

[@usernamechecksout9901]

This guy has a good narrating voice, grim yet hopeful.

[@beingsshepherd]

Really? His tone always sounds to me like a Canadian teen, sneering at the perversity of all that makes no sense to him.

[@ordinaryvalley]

I cut out all processed food, sugar, soda, alcohol, gluten 4 months ago because my depression, anxiety, adhd, fatigue, mood swings, bad quality sleep, just unhappiness in general was literally killing me both spiritually and physically. I was also told i was prediabetic. I was literally shocked and disgusted by myself and so disappointed in myself since i had never thought i would have ended up in such bad shape overall in my mid thirties. Fast forward 4 months, I am no longer prediabetic, reversed my insulin resistance, no longer depressed, or fatigued. I sleep like a baby. I am motivated. Have lost 30 lbs (i only do moderate walking every day and some squats 3-4 days a week for strength). The difference in such short amount of time is incredible. I am so so grateful. Freedom can only be felt/achieved with self discipline not indulgence. I recommend everyone to look into animal based diet and consider giving up processed food at least..before you give up on yourself or diagnose yourself with psychiatric disorders. Break a leg 🎉 Cheers x

[@ericstephenson145]

Yes, animal based plus exercise. This is the way

[@BambooBasher-i4x]

And fasting, not grazing and snacking all day 😊

[@coolbreeze5683]

One of my friends on anti-depressants asked me if I was taking any meds because I went through some bad things in the past few years. I told him I refuse to take anything and he got upset at me. He got his wife on to SSRI's and he strongly believes in medications for anything that causes pain. Years ago, we went on a trip and we both got stomach bugs. He took all kinds of anti-diarrhea meds, antacids and Tylenol. I was really sick for a day but let it run it's nasty course without any meds. It was disgusting and painful but my body got through what it needed to and pushed out everything it needed to. He stayed mildly sick for about 2 weeks. Repressing his illness with medications but not releasing it out because he was scared of/avoiding pain. I agree with the message of this video. The more you try to avoid pain, the more you'll have to contend with down the road. I'd rather feel the pain as it happens. Confront, question and learn from it until it builds a callous on my brain.

[@StainsStainsStains]

i believe in medications. Your opinion is on the opposite end of the spectrum but equally harmful. Your ability to cope with pain isnt the case with everyone. You shouldn't need to be in constant pain 24/7 when medications exist to ease the suffering.

[@hammersaw3135]

there are tradeoffs. Medications are good, when necessary. But antidepressants are a scam at best, a conspiracy to stunt the mental development of society at worse. Its created a nation of weenie babies

[@sanniepstein4835]

@@StainsStainsStains I've experienced serious physical pain and agree. Aside from knowing that suffering is real, which takes only one or two lessons, I see no benefit from it.

[@trippssey]

You shouldn't medicate your pain you should seek to understand it. Argue for occasional pain relief from extreme injuries but let people decide for themselves how much pain of their OWN they can or want to endure. People stop people from experiencing themselves way too much. And medications will never ever cure or heal. Numbing out is the problem ​@@StainsStainsStains

[@trippssey]

​@@sanniepstein4835if suffering only requires one or two lessons and the lesson is learned then the suffering should be eased. If it isn't, medicating it out doesn't fix the unlearned lesson...

[@PseudoPhlegm]

I have been naturally following this path with zero knowledge of these peoples teachings. I’ve just stumbled onto these realization in-situ to my circumstances. This was reaffirming. But as always, since we are within a new era we must start asking the new questions.

[@Calvinminick]

This is by far my favorite KZbin channel, ever. Please don’t stop uploading 🙏

[@alejandramarquez6804]

You haven't see Kapil Gupta. The ultimate.

[@Yutaniflow]

You dropped so much knowledge and sited some incredible quotes into the subject matter. Thanks for doing this.

[@valdasdr8432]

I'm not gonna stop saying that this channel is a gold mine for high quality wisdom.

[@roar6047]

This resonates a lot and relates exactly to what I’ve been thinking about lately. I exercise regularly and many of my hobbies are movement related but I still feel mentally dead often because I sit in front of a computer all day for work. I make good money and have a “comfortable” life but can feel spiritually dead often. I’ve considered moving into a more physical type of work and have been looking into farm apprenticeships and other type of work that is more physical and less sitting in front of a screen all day

[@bshilala]

Start working on it as a side hobby until you can possibly go part time at your desk job and then maybe quit forever. I have acquired enough side gigs to only work part time at the hospital and my mental health has increased substantially. I look forward to a day when I can leave the medical field altogether.

[@kojikicklighter371]

I broke my collarbone/ribs recently. I had to take 10 weeks off from the gym. It made me realize, that I'd never in my adult life(59yo) missed more than a few workouts in any given month. Strenuous exercise is the only fountain of youth. Heading back to the gym on Monday.

[@spockboy]

"You are never more warm and cozy, than when you come in from the freezing cold" PAUL SIBBALD

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

That's me after coming back home from a warehouse shift 🙃 But after 5+ years, at least I don't get sick from cold anymore. I used to be sick every single year before I started that job.

[@MrMcguire89]

Darkest is just before dawn

[@factsoveremotions6035]

My 6yr old daughter wanted to swim in our pool at 61 degrees and it was 68 outside and breezy. I said sure! Towels never felt so warm after…

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

@@factsoveremotions6035 68 is crazy hot. Where do you live? On Mercury?

[@mr.nobody2244]

Always been saying that the closer we live how our ancestors used to live, the happier we will be. We are so disconnected from our roots, especially the industrialized 1st world, that we forgot what truly makes us happy. Back to nature, back to the roots, live a simple life.

[@SiLiDNB]

This is absolute gold. Something I‘ve been thinking about for years, but couldn‘t have expressed in the slightest bit like this video does.

[@ResidentWiseacre]

“So I (King Solomon) became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless-like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 (NLT)

[@jeffsatterwhite6373]

Vanity, vexations of the spirit

[@Ivna486]

I just lost power from a tornado that hit north Florida. I had to provide for my family . I had to sweat , I had to find ice , food and gas everyday . No unlimited phone time no tv ,Ac and thank god we had clean water . But in this week of somewhat struggle for us . We got closer as a family . I feel better and I am very over weight . I learned that I need to limit our comfort . Once the power came back we were so relived like if we were just saved from death . That was very insightful to me . We need to adjust to limit comfort as humans .

[@bbol745]

Buy a generator! Something big enough to run the refrigerator, lights, and a window A/C. I have a champion 3500w!

[@Ivna486]

@@bbol745 duh right lol , a few days in I was right about too and then the power came back .

[@taralynnhoffmann5831]

One of the best memories I have from my best years (1995-1998 in Montreal) is walking down the street and hearing different sounds coming out of everyone's appartments and cars. Everyone had their windows open and a lot of people would even leave their door wide open to catch a draft through their appartment. Now, everyone imprisons themselves inside, and the very same people that I spent those years with wouldn't even dare turning off the air conditioning in their appartment. Air conditioning didn't even exist back then at least not on our side of the tracks. Nobody talks about it, or realizes how different things are. It's actually sad. Our lives were much tougher back then in many different ways, but we had a lot more fun too. Life was colourful. I have never used air conditioning because of this phenomenon and I refuse it, even though I now live in interior BC and actually have central air in my house (I have never turned it on). I still open the windows and blast my music. And I roll down the highway with the windows down. My kids love it. They have no idea how lucky they are.

[@Hurt-to-Healing]

I love comfort and rest. This is how body repairs itself.

[@samuelzparkerz]

A strange serendipity that I keep reading the books you cover on this channel right before you release the video.

[@RareAries323]

Ah, synchronicities

[@-AkhilTej-]

🎯💎🏆 Great insightful & fruitful video 🏆💎🎯 लोकः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ( May all beings lead prosperous life across Globe 🌍 )

[@brentwilbur]

I like this. I started working in a warehouse when I was 24. Now 44 and still working in warehouses, I have thought about what the perfect amount of physical labor would be such that your free time would be experienced as a joy in and of itself, and the two would balance. I have yet to make a determination, but this video, I feel, validates the pursuit. If they are not already physically demanding, all jobs should incorporate a variety of mechanical stresses to the body. The body is not just a life support system. We are not just our minds. We are our bodies too and they need as much consideration as the conscious self.

[@iloveSUVs]

I just finished a challenging US Army course where I didn't have a phone and was subjected to constant discomfort and deprivation. My focus and insight improved despite these discomforts. And now simply sitting on my couch after graduating today gives me so much joy.

[@beingsshepherd]

But you've not the insight to see through the cynicism of imperial Washington.

[@midwestribeye7820]

Congratulations!🎉 You are better off than 95% of us right now. Keep challenging yourself and keep your mental and physical edge. God bless!

[@shadooks4774]

@@beingsshepherdhave a cry

[@RandallvanOosten-ln5wf]

​​@@beingsshepherd Finding a balance between pleasure and pain through self discipline will not inherently lead a person to see through a political regime that has gradually controlled all the levers of information including the mass media. Fortunately, with the advent of the Internet there has been a tidal wave of content creators through which one can access information about the political regime. One valuable source are commentators on international relations such as John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago and Larry C. Johnson. One can learn a lot from how other countries view the U.S.

[@beingsshepherd]

@@RandallvanOosten-ln5wf Preaching to the converted. Surely that comment's better directed at the op.

[@viracocha03]

This is the best YT channel of its kind. I could listen to hours long videos from AoI.

[@4uhDamagecase]

i've been kicking these thoughts around to myself for many years. even more so lately because 18 months ago i entered recovery from a 15 year opioid addiction.

[@bshilala]

The best is yet to come. You will never regret the decision to live clean.

[@ABCDuwachui]

@@bshilala❤❤❤

[@JJ-yk6il]

I’m a long time subscriber and fan. Your content is among the best on KZbin. I’m happy to be in a place where I could sign up as a member now. It’s long overdue, thanks for your contribution to bringing our society back to a place of sanity.

[@Kont3xt]

Pain is a great motivator

[@user-2Hteyasizyc]

The more comfort the more pain, wasnt that what the video was about ? lolz.... jesus christ .Pain is NOT the "great motivator" those who've made it and stayed there have much validation. Where is the pain in validation.

[@gapho5198]

Which slave driver said that?

[@user-2Hteyasizyc]

@@gapho5198 hahaha fuck

[@brianpan6453]

Try growing up as a child in a house filled with violence, neglect and sexual abuse.

[@Kont3xt]

@@brianpan6453 if that was you, so sorry to hear that. I hope that painful experience would motivate you to get out of that situation if possible or motivate you to be a better parent to your own children or motivate you to help others in the same situation

[@ddevam]

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

[@topperisthedog]

A worthy topic for a discussion. A few thoughts- Debilitating pain, be it physical or mental, is not the same as discomfort or even temporary suffering. The discipline necessary to endure pain, suffering, discomfort, sacrifice in pursuit of a goal, a reason or a vision is is what brings the betterment. Otherwise it's just pointless pain and suffering.

[@TararyzeMcg]

Yep I've done both...chronic unending pain can break the strongest spirit

[@Michaelpersico695]

I don’t like pain for myself or others. However pain takes you much deeper into your Self than pleasure ever could.

[@-astrangerontheinternet6687]

“Hes no good at being uncomfortable, so he keeps on staying exactly the same” -Fiona Apple. Extraordinary machine.

[@Alexander_KB]

Like #69 lol

[@emilianotonayan7903]

😊😊😊😊​@@Alexander_KB

[@MrCWA6891]

"The lap of luxury and the pursuit of ease and pleasure are death to manly courage, energy, will, and enterprise." - Frederick Douglass

[@lorenzogumier7646]

The pain of discipline makes you free!

[@kauffrau6764]

So glad to find this channel! I’m fortunate that I have a physical job, along with the demands of work I have to exercise in order to stay strong enough to meet them. Besides, I get depressed if I’m not physically active. I am addicted to KZbin though… channels like this, cooking, books narrated… I often do something or exercise while listening.

[@jesusguerrero8786]

Pain is the wrong word choice. We should pursue constant improvement, though it may bring with it discomfort.

[@jenbodhi1133]

And discomfort is painful, you’ve become so soft the word pain upsets you

[@jesusguerrero8786]

@@jenbodhi1133 pain - physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury. Again, it's the wrong word choice. I would call you soft, for feeling the need to reply.

[@jenbodhi1133]

@@jesusguerrero8786 there are things called psychological and emotional pain. I’m sorry you’re so weak you got triggered by this conversation. Typical weak western man

[@UnpopularGuy332]

@@jenbodhi1133 Sounds like you allow internet ‘gurus’ to do all the thinking for you. You’re upset because of a disagreement of how a word is used.

[@marathon01]

@@jenbodhi1133roach out

[@Squirrels_yellowchicks]

When it comes to physical activity, we don’t need to do anything heavy, just regular long walks will do it.

[@jhunt5578]

As someone training for an Ironman I see this dynamic at play. A lot of people on the starting line have shit to deal with i think. Its really a mental game when it comes down to it.

[@erikbossard2635]

I admit to indulging in the pleasure of listening to videos from the Academy of Ideas :-)

[@dhaktizero4406]

love everything. love is not a reward. it is a regard.

[@garricksilver4749]

The more difficult, the more you develop.

[@P________]

The zone of proximal development

[@Bucky1836]

Over temper steel it will shatter

[@antonyjh1234]

Until when? I understand achieving goals to get you somewhere but what then? Imagine you had all the money in the world, what then? Learning to appreciate what you have and what it took for you to receive what you have can also be seen as development

[@mr.nobody2244]

True. Hardships either shape personality in a good or bad way. Development in either direction depending on the individual.

[@UnpopularGuy332]

And also the more jaded and lame you become, when you forget how to enjoy life. Our existence is not about milestones and climbing ladders. The purpose of life is to be happy. If you’re not happy, you’re not winning.

[@charliethekitty]

simply one of the most life changing videos ive seen, possibly the most.

[@clintcalvert9250]

Pain is the bodies friend. No pain no gain. Truth

[@PraveenSrJ01]

I agree ☝️

[@elsiemunoz199]

Just get married trust me ! I’m being married for 25 years and I’m always balanced with pain ✌🏻👽

[@48038]

Well said

[@djfazher]

Nothing that comes too easy is ever valued

[@Diamondsparkle788]

Yes true

[@jaffarshah120]

I had all these ideas already seething in my mind, which only needed this video to set them on fire. now i have realized that our life is akin to achieving physical balance, which is a task full of diurnal, painful adjustments

[@camillapalmer82]

5 and a bit years of sobriety. Self control and discipline have bought me so much peace.

[@Salamander407]

Love the thumbnail, says it all.

[@audioartisan]

I grew up in the 70's.. Then in the 80's & 90's I was a wildland firefighter. I can barely get a person born in this day and age to join me on a rigorous hike in the woods. Most just wanna stare at the screen. * This video reminded me to take my Shepherd out today ...Thx * If I want comfort, I'll take a nap. Otherwise get out of the way, I'm busy being uncomfortable 🤣

[@Rithmy]

im most comfortable on a hike. Thats the thing. Being comfortable with limited uncomfortable stimuli. A hike might be a burden on the body, but its rly just that. THe pain (unlike other body pain) is not even that hard to see as exiting and such. Of course don't over do it. To the defense of the newer generation i must say that i hated hiking too in my younger years. Im from the 00s. Only after turning 22ish i found pleasure in hiking.

[@mikeoglen6848]

What a great story/metaphor - all these people will be consumed by Fire, one of these days...

[@hapybratt8640]

@@Rithmy In my experience physical pains are much easier than mental ones too. It is much easier to do intense exercise for an hour than it is meditate for an hour.

[@Rithmy]

@@hapybratt8640 Exercise pain is not what i mean. Exercise also pumps you up with many hormones that let you keep going, its basically a rewards system. Also meditation is not painfull at all. IIt has no inherent pain in it. Buddhist divide between unavoidable pain and avoidable pain. I would consider this fully avoidable. Plus Both cases are limited in time. It becomes muchmore problematic if its chronic pain. Chronic tooth pain is something that most people go mad about about if a certain intensity is reached. Remember how hard it is to eat and laught if that evne further intensifies a chronic pain. Mental pain that is existantial can be destroying too. severe loneliness, having no possibilities in life, feeling like a slave, feeling empty....

[@hapybratt8640]

​@@Rithmy I would say meditation is a form of pain because certain types go against what your brain wants to do. You try to focus on one subject for as long as possible but it doesn't want to do that so it comes up with ways to trick you out of it. It is in pain so it tries to avoid it and a couple seconds later it gets put right back into the frying pan. If it wasn't in pain then why do so many people avoid trying to focus on one subject? Also, exercise can be very painful and requires a lot of mental strength to keep going sometimes, especially running and cycling for long periods. It is more than just endorphins telling you to keep going. Focusing meditation is way harder than just cycling though because your mind doesn't have to be focused on the cycling but it does have to be focused on the focusing which is what's causing the pain. The reason Buddhists separate avoidable and unavoidable is because you cant do something about unavoidable pain so you might as well not think about it. They're both still pain though, there is nothing inherently different from chronic back pain and a needle in your arm just because one is temporary and avoidable. This got this way off topic though and I'm pretty sure you agree with me on what I'm trying to say anyway.

[@honkeytonklin2198]

I'm fortunate to be a busy body & cabinetmaker. I stay booked, always behind. The challenges are constant keeping up our property. Having too much to do @ all times is one way to avoid a life of comfort & leisure 🤣

[@sanniepstein4835]

Mere pain can destroy. Effort, discipline, and some hardship are usually beneficial, but simply suffering creates no benefit.

[@elpretender1357]

This is one of the reasons why I enjoy doing groceries and travelling on bicycle. Makes every day a little more thrilling and getting somewhere feels much more rewarding.

[@Maryland_Kulak]

I have known this my whole life. I grew up on a farm. I never had air conditioning or cable TV. Still, I was aware that my life was easy compared to those who came before me. Then I joined the Army. We would live outdoors for weeks at a time. Simply coming back to civilization and eating a cheeseburger and sleeping in a bed indoors was orgasmic.

[@loveistheanswer5924]

I also thought this while watching this video. I had to do hard work for 3 weeks in another city. Coming home in my comfortable home was so awesome! 🤗🙂👍

[@loveistheanswer5924]

There is a series where they go to the jungle and a lot have reported that they learned there to appreciate the small pleasures of life a lot! 🤗🥪

[@noelbrown6771]

I was a Welder at the shipyard welding below deck in the ships boiler room wearing leathers. Going up on deck at the end of the day to peal off my leathers and feel the oceans cooling breeze wash over my sweat soaked body was more refreshing than I can describe! Ahh

[@Maryland_Kulak]

@@loveistheanswer5924I would like to challenge you to experience it yourself instead of watching it on TV.

[@Maryland_Kulak]

@brucenelson1814I lived in Arbutus for several years in the mid 1990s.

[@carolinewolf565]

You don’t have to be heavy to experience this! It’s a matter of wanting things so bad and which you have been lacking for so long❤

[@passingtraveller114]

The Pursuits of worldy pleasures is the art of escapism and escapism never solved any problems , it's only a temporary delay , a delay that only make those problems harder to solve

[@wet-read]

Um, not all worldly pleasures are also escapist in nature. Exercise is worldly and pleasurable, but I wouldn't call it escapist. What exactly do you mean when you say "worldly", here?

[@nonamehere-y2t]

Thus far, this channel proves to be superior in bringing truth, ethics and morality to the public.

[@junglejarred6366]

I've had chronic crippling back pain for the last decade. There is no comfort

[@wtywatoad]

There are things you have learned to appreciate that most others still take for granted:

[@strahljd]

Yep, and those who think pain is good and life should be lived for struggle are the ones who would deny you of affordable healthcare, thus perpetuating their grim world of misery. If hard work is the default state of life then why do we invent and use tools to make things easier on ourselves? This "pain is good, comfort bad" BS is just that.

[@DovydasGlb]

you should do some deadlifts

[@junglejarred6366]

@@strahljd I definitely don't need anything to be more difficult in life. It's already stupid enough. I'm looking for ease

[@junglejarred6366]

@@DovydasGlb haha that sounds smart. It's difficult to just put pants on. Besides, I've done enough dead lifts in my years of body building and steroids. I'm good

[@nicolasblanckaert2035]

This is maybe the most important video I've watched so far. Thanks.

[@satnamo]

Like Arthur Schopenhauer says: Pain must be positive for it makes its own existence felt ❤

[@ionageman]

Comfort is the end of adventure

[@bliptripmusic]

As a Cenobite, I concur.

[@topperisthedog]

Despite myself, I was thinking of Pinhead all through the video.

[@Barsaman75]

you opened the box. we came.

[@macflod]

Its true, i got an office job once and after a few years i was not good. I put on weight and i could feel my knees sore on a walk. I could barely go 30minutes walking without feeling exhausted and breathing heavy.

[@SeanSpecker]

that was a great reminder of what a man told me years ago. more eloquently stated and it hit closer to home this time. thanks.

[@fluxmebaby]

This video made so much sense. As someone who was addicted to opiates in the past, I often thought the withdrawal was equal to all the euphoria I obtained, but its opposite.

[@patrickcosgrove2623]

This is absolutely true. Modern life is detrimental to our wellbeing. I've thought this for a couple of years. Too much of everything. Life is too easy. Struggle and suffering, hardship is all part of life.. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

*post* modern life

[@Michael0663-qo4wx]

Life isn’t easy

[@Vermonster23]

Oooh….. I got you with this one! I broke my back about 15 years ago and take zero pain meds to manage. I do a lot of push-ups, and continue to learn the concept of radical acceptance of pain. I went through three years of the pain clinic and have less discomfort now through mental management and physical fitness.

[@dustchip8060]

When you have God's peace inside, the external no longer dictates what comfort means.

[@SebConte202]

Getting uncomfortable either voluntarily through difficult exercise and whatnot or involuntarily through stressful situations also makes you appreciate your baseline emotional state once the uncomfortable event is over. The uncomfortable events give you something to contrast your baseline emotional state with which is super important otherwise you start taking your painless physical state for granted, you take your peace of mind for granted and everything just feels flat and dull.

[@rmar1957]

I have plenty of discomfort on my daily routine. A bucket serves as my toilet. I shower year round outside with a hose. During the summer, there's no AC & my room gets really hot. In winter it gets down to mid to high 30s F but i don't have heat. I've had to wash my clothes by hand. I wash dishes outside. And there is dirt everywhere as it blows in through the Windows. With a fractured wrist, i can't use my motorcycle nor ride my bicycles. And the goats, pigs,.dogs swarm me every morning. I can't afford doméstic help so with some disabilities I've had to suffer thru it. A cowboy helps with cowboy stuff but it aint much. I haven't had a drink with ice cubes so long that i can't remember when. But i'm feeling good.

[@herelieskittythomas3726]

I have an a/c in the 180 square foot cabin and a woodstove in the winter. I don't have goats, the chickens swarm me. My dog retrieves what I shoot. We shower outside, we were showering in the hose and before that , we showered in a spring 8 miles away. We will never go back to normal society.

[@TheAmericanMan2001]

Great video! I’ve been watching you for years, keep killing it.

[@user-2Hteyasizyc]

Most will silently hate this and disagree cuz "mah disorder" or any other number of endless self made ills they use to not be good enough. Remember we are all "equal" yet no one actually believes this, hence all the misery despite everything we have. Love isnt present. And for most people even love isnt enough. They want love x infinity.

[@Sjb2524]

This has been my journey the past year and it’s been a very curious journey uncovering layers of my psyche but come to know my dopamine more and how to support myself and overcome my fears