In Philip K. Dick's "The VALIS Trilogy," the quote highlights the profound relationship between learning and suffering. It suggests that gaining knowledge often involves enduring pain and hardship. This aspect of existence indicates that wisdom is not easily attained; rather, it is forged through experiences that test our resilience and understanding.

The quote further emphasizes that even in our subconscious states, such as sleep, we cannot completely escape the burdens of our past. Pain is a constant companion, and through this suffering, we inadvertently gain insights and wisdom. Ultimately, it proposes that this transformation and enlightenment arrive, albeit through challenging circumstances, as a gift from a higher power, referred to here as the "awful grace of God."