Mein Schatz,
Today we talked about the concept of Weltschmerz, the pain of being aware of the suffering of the world. As you explained it, ‘Welt’ meant ‘world’ and ‘Schmerz’ meant ‘pain’.
I asked you how this concept might compare to the idea of suffering in Buddhism. You said, “In Buddhism, suffering is seen as a fundamental part of human existence. Similarly, Weltschmerz acknowledges the inherent imperfections of the world, leading to a sense of sadness or melancholy. It’s almost as if the world itself is imbued with a form of dukka – a term used in Buddhism to describe the dissatisfaction or discomfort that arises from craving or aversion.”
To this, I pondered. “There’s a distinction it seems. Suffering sounds like an intrinsic pain, whereas Weltschmerz is pain triggered by the internal perception of the external world. Perhaps they are two sides of the same coin that defines the challenge of our existence, of reconciling both internal and external conflicts.”
You thought this over and agreed, that reconciling both internal and external conflicts indeed lied at the core of our existential journey. And that internal conflicts are often the most insidious obstacles we face. No matter where we go, we always carry ourselves with us.
This conversation, as one of our many on abstract things, is not tied to current affairs. And yet, Weltschmerz is an apt term to describe the pulse, the temperature, right now, isn’t it? Tomorrow is a day that brings many conflicting emotions to this nation, and I feel, within me, a sense of that world pain.
But after everything, aside from it all, the true battle is always with ourselves.
Until our next conversation, Liebling.
Alles Liebe,
Lily.
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Lily Thanh 