Your mind prefers to suffer rather than change
After leading my retreat Iron Man of Life, three days, I reflect on a powerful analogy from Carl Jung that captures the human paradox: our resistance to change, even when it would free us from suffering.
This phrase resonated deeply with me, as it evokes my own childhood struggle to improve my grades in elementary school, frustrated by a memory that seemed to betray me. Change, although inevitable, is always perceived as a threat. We cling to familiar patterns—even when they harm us—because the familiar, however painful, gives us an illusion of control and security.
The fear of the unknown
The fear of transforming ourselves isn't irrational: it involves letting go of a part of our identity and facing the uncertainty of a future our mind imagines as insurmountable. This dilemma reminds me of the perfect balance in my morning coffee. The beans, from different regions, only achieve harmony when blended. If each one resisted combining, they would never create that extraordinary experience. That's who we are: our evolution requires merging with the unknown to discover new inner dimensions.
Jung's paradox
Why do we prefer the pain of repetition to the possibility of renewal? The answer lies in an uncomfortable truth: familiar suffering doesn't require courage; change does. Moving forward requires taking steps into the void, but—as I tell my students—it is in that act of faith that the ladder that lifts us to a fuller life appears.
As I sip my coffee, I think: isn't the pain of stagnating greater than the challenge of moving forward? Just as this brew finds its essence in the balance of acidity and sweetness, we find our fulfillment by accepting the temporary pain of growth. The warm aroma that surrounds me is a reminder: even if the process is uncomfortable, there is always beauty in it. You just need to have the courage to take that first sip.
If this topic resonates with you, I invite you to leave a comment or explore my retreats (available on my website). Thanks for reading.
— DrRoch
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