Part 7/12:
Watts employed the metaphor of a river to depict human suffering. Imagine a person struggling against a strong current, exhausting every effort to swim upstream. This representation is strikingly accurate; our pain often arises from resisting what is. Acceptance becomes difficult when we cling to the past or battle against decisions that lead to discomfort.
The river teaches us that life has its own intelligence and rhythm, and by accepting rather than resisting reality, we can foster ease and peace within ourselves. Tension, anxiety, and frustration arise when we fight against life, manifesting a perpetual state of war within us. It is this struggle that ultimately drains our energy and undermines our well-being.