## Summary In this episode, John Vervaeke explores the ideas of Kierkegaard, focusing on the relationship between suffering, consciousness, and the self. He discusses how suffering can lead to a deeper understanding of our existence and our connection to others and God. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the importance of confronting paradoxes in our lives to achieve personal growth and clarity. ## Notes - [[Kierkegaardian Suffering]] ## Highlights he was born and raised and lived under the aspect of a particular kind of grief. He recognized in himself that life came with a burden of suffering that could not be ignored, that could not be shied away from, that couldn’t be slept through. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jr8qp14hk0hftw8kyawb9tp0)) That’s the Socratic part, yeah, of the story; which is that the suffering is necessary to induce the opinion that is required to disillusion. Oneself from all of those attachments that are modally confused and that are mistaken for something that they're fundamentally not. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jr8qr87ja4n5z4x0m17p9pv2)) - 💭 this is why seeking discomfort is good and not being complacent is good, because you are creating that space to act enough in the chance that you are engaging with something that is not real or ultimate. You're able to take a step back and you're able to effort fully change course to something that is. this is why aporia is important You can't be a Christian except to follow in the wake of the suffering of Christ. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jr8qwkb2fwpc4pwv3gw26myj)) It is that suffering is a necessary way through to oneself, without which we cannot be made awake inside of that dream. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jr8qx33pryjepe5pmmtn0qmv))