In Buddhism, dukkha describes what is "not right, not satisfying."
In particular, it's used for the joys and pleasures of life that are fleeting and "won't be enough."
Without realizing it, we're always looking for a permanent solution.
"If I find the right person, I'll be happy for the rest of my life."
"Once I land the right job, I'll never have to worry again."
"If I buy this car, I'll be a complete person."
The brain keeps making us believe that the next step, the next purchase, the next desire will unlock everything for good.
And we fall for it every time.
Dukkha is the daily reminder that we're wrong.
It describes both suffering – which is inevitable – and the fact that fleeting pleasures are never the solution.
So saying that "something is dukkha," for a Buddhist, can mean two things:
- This thing brings suffering. But suffering is inevitable. So it has to be accepted. It will pass.
- This thing feels good. But the good is temporary. Once the effect fades, the same desire comes back unchanged.
It's the "unchanged" part that's the problem.
A "dukkha" action or pleasure leaves us in exactly the same situation afterward as before.
"But if we enjoyed ourselves for a while, where's the harm?"
The harm is the illusion.
Part of us truly believes the action will change everything.
Or at least that it will bring us closer to something better.
But it brings us closer to nothing.
It leaves us in the same state and, the next time around, we start all over again.
And again. And again.
This action "is not satisfying" because it sustains a perpetual cycle of craving and temporary satisfaction.
During which we never look for the "real" solution.
The one that could free us in the long run.
For example:
This morning, walking down the street, I caught the smell of the bakery.
A strong craving for a pain au chocolat – or a pain suisse.
In the end, I held back... but not through willpower.
That had nothing to do with it.
I just realized that after a pain suisse or a pain au chocolat... I'd want another one. And another.
My craving for sugar is never satisfied for long.
And so it became very clear to me that if I ate that pastry, five minutes later I'd find myself... in exactly the same situation.
If I could eat a pain au chocolat and be happy for the whole day... let's go! No regrets!
But no: the pleasure of a pain au chocolat is utterly fleeting.
It's not the solution to everything.
It's not even a step in the right direction.
Once the effect fades, I'm back in the same place.
And I have to go looking for the next fleeting pleasure.
A whole life can be spent this way.
Chasing the next pleasure that will solve nothing.
The beginning of wisdom is when we're tired of it.