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Pain in the present is experienced as hurt. Pain in the past is remembered as anger. Pain in the future is perceived as anxiety. Unexpressed anger, redirected against yourself and held within, is called guilt. The depletion of energy that occurs when anger is redirected inward creates depression.
Deepak Chopra
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote explores the different dimensions of pain and how unexpressed emotions can lead to negative feelings such as guilt and depression.

Deepak Chopra's quote reflects on the multifaceted nature of pain and emotions, indicating that our experiences of pain differ based on when they occur—whether in the present, past, or future. It highlights the importance of expressing anger rather than allowing it to fester internally, which can result in feelings of guilt and potentially lead to depression. The quote serves as a reminder of the crucial need for emotional expression and understanding to maintain a healthy state of mind.

Themes

PainAngerAnxietyGuiltDepressionEmotionExpression

In practice

Example use cases

During a mental health workshop, discussing the importance of expressing emotions.

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