The Human Predicament

The English translation of the Sanskrit word “Duḥkha” is "suffering", however, it is widely acknowledged that this translation is considered to be somewhat lacking. A secondary and greatly favoured translation is “unsatisfactoriness” which better relays the empty anguish that is human existence.

Instead of trying to offer an array of different translations, perhaps it is better to think of “Duhkha” as a concept that refers to the existence of suffering whereby we as humans are intrinsically unsatisfied creatures. No matter how utterly fantastic life may seem in that one moment we will inevitably find a reason, usually quite quickly, to once again become discontent and thereby unsatisfied with the current outlook that we are faced with. It’s a perpetual and vicious loop that we are stuck in.

Say for argument's sake you woke up one morning and your mom had made you a delicious hummus and avo sandwich (you’re vegetarian – deal with it). You’re stoked. You pack said sandwich and venture off to go catch some Pokemon.

Within mere minutes of wading through the long grass, something catches your eye. Now you’re super stoked. You of course whip out your Pokedex and lo and behold it’s a wild Bulbasaur. Your mind quickly flashes back to the Venusaur poster above your bed and you send out your Charmeleon with one swift hand flick.

A few flamethrowers later you’re the proud owner of a rather bodacious Bulbasaur. As you’re basking in your moment of glory with a celebratory dance your mind flashes back yet again to another poster above your bed. It's one of Pikachu.

Stupid Ash received the one and only Pikachu in Pallet Town. Mom won’t let you go any further than the town center until you’ve gotten at least a C for math on your report card but that’s never going to happen because you’ve long since given up on trying to understand why the limit does not exist - if it doesn't exist why are we so obsessed with it? And voila. Just like that, you’re bleak. Unsatisfied with life. Suffering.