What is unbearable in life is not being, but being one's self. To live, there is no happiness there. Living: carrying around the world one's painful self. But being, being is happiness. Being: to transform into a fountain, a stone basin in which the universe descends like a lukewarm rain - Postface by François Ricard, translated from French
The essence of life is explored through the distinction between mere existence and the profound act of being oneself. The text suggests that the struggles and pains of life can overshadow true happiness, which is found in the simple act of being. Living often feels like a burden, filled with the weight of personal suffering that one carries through life.
In contrast, the act of being is depicted as a source of joy. It symbolizes a transformation into a state where one becomes a vessel for the universe, akin to a fountain receiving a gentle rain. This metaphor emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from embracing one’s identity and existence fully, rather than merely enduring the challenges of living.
