<p>Living is a consequence of birth. Everything is unstable, unsatisfying and out of control because of birth. </p>

<p>Birth is a consequence of not knowing what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If everything in unstable, unsatisfying and out of control then what is the point in living?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The point in living is to learn what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Isn't the 'point of life' meant to be a journey to stability, satisfaction and self control?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Thus, you are right in saying: that the 'point of life' is meant to be a journey to stability, satisfaction and self control.</p>

<p>Once you realize what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering, you will enjoy the fruits of your realizations in this very same life - you will live a stable and satisfactory life, with no ill will, anger, sadness, fears, greed, hatred, envy, any kind of emotional negativity, etc.</p>

<p>Once you realize what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering, you will live a life completely devoid of any kind of suffering and your death will be completely devoid of any kind of suffering. After death, you'll not be born again - you will be what you truly are.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-29T11:35:46.113Z
2015-06-29T11:48:24.377Z
2015-06-29T11:48:24.377Z
beginner
<blockquote>
  <p>Isn't the 'point of life' meant to be a journey to stability,
  satisfaction and self control?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There's no "meant to be" in life. It's not written in the stars that you must do this or that. But you can follow the noble 8 fold path and attain stability and satisfaction while you live.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If everything in unstable, unsatisfying and out of control</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Everything is uncontrollable, but not unstable and unsatisfying. Only conditioned things are unstable and unsatisfying.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-29T11:30:40.057Z
2015-06-29T11:30:40.057Z
Sankha Kulathantille
<p>If everything in unstable, unsatisfying and out of control then what is the point in living? Isn't the 'point of life' meant to be a journey to stability, satisfaction and self control? Thanks :).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-29T15:05:59.210Z
You can't stop the waves but you can learn how to surf!
Buddho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T13:02:11.487Z
ahhh yes Jon Kabat Zinn is a great teacher :D
user5286
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T13:04:30.577Z
Actually it was said by a Hindu swami touring America in the sixties, but JKZ had made it popular for this generation.
Buddho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T13:09:01.760Z
oh I didn't know that, thanks :)
user5286
<enlightenment><anatman><impermanence>
What is the nature of impermanence, desire and anatman?
# What is the nature of impermanence, desire and anatman?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-06-29)

If everything in unstable, unsatisfying and out of control then what is the point in living? Isn't the 'point of life' meant to be a journey to stability, satisfaction and self control? Thanks :).

**Tags:** enlightenment, anatman, impermanence

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You can't stop the waves but you can learn how to surf!  
> **username_0**: ahhh yes Jon Kabat Zinn is a great teacher :D  
> **username_1**: Actually it was said by a Hindu swami touring America in the sixties, but JKZ had made it popular for this generation.  
> **username_0**: oh I didn't know that, thanks :)  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-06-29. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

> Isn't the 'point of life' meant to be a journey to stability,
> satisfaction and self control?

There's no "meant to be" in life. It's not written in the stars that you must do this or that. But you can follow the noble 8 fold path and attain stability and satisfaction while you live.

> If everything in unstable, unsatisfying and out of control

Everything is uncontrollable, but not unstable and unsatisfying. Only conditioned things are unstable and unsatisfying.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-06-29. Score: 3

Living is a consequence of birth. Everything is unstable, unsatisfying and out of control because of birth.

Birth is a consequence of not knowing what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering.

> If everything in unstable, unsatisfying and out of control then what is the point in living?

The point in living is to learn what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering.

> Isn't the 'point of life' meant to be a journey to stability, satisfaction and self control?

Thus, you are right in saying: that the 'point of life' is meant to be a journey to stability, satisfaction and self control.

Once you realize what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering, you will enjoy the fruits of your realizations in this very same life - you will live a stable and satisfactory life, with no ill will, anger, sadness, fears, greed, hatred, envy, any kind of emotional negativity, etc.

Once you realize what is suffering, what is the cause of suffering, what is the end of suffering and what is the way leading to the end of suffering, you will live a life completely devoid of any kind of suffering and your death will be completely devoid of any kind of suffering. After death, you'll not be born again - you will be what you truly are.


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