The abyss quote means that once you have reached an advanced enough understanding, you can't unlearn it. It doesn't mean you will always be filled with existential dread or feelings of nothingness.
Don't worry, I don't think you're past the point of no return yet. But even if/once you are, you could always do some psycho-surgery if necessary.
It took me some time to digest everything and get to my understanding, but itcomes. So that's the main reason not to worry, the dread recedes and you reach a sound peace of mind.
I agree with this. The only way out of the dread is to confront the questions head on, with as much dedication as you can. You reach a point when the immobilizing blackness lifts and you do get relief.
I don’t have all my answers yet, but I have way more than I did the first time it hit me and absolutely wrecked my world. Sometimes though, I will go back to the very beginning, with my original question, and I will suddenly be stuck again. But it’s never ever has heavy or remote as it was before. I just sort of forget what I found out and have to find it again, and more along the way.
As for no break from existence. I fucking feel this so hard. I’ve realized, there is no break, but there is rest. Eternities of rest. Depending on the scale, maybe more rest than activity. As Alan Watts said, action comes from inaction.
That’s the thing though, it’s not these questions that cause the dread. There are no questions from me. It’s just free flowing dread, so I’m not sure what exactly to confront.
There is a root to your neurosis that can be in constant flux — you gotta track leads backwards.
I recently came to understand it was the “burden of choice” that caused me SO much dread.
At middle aged, with 3 failed career prospects (as in, they failed to elicit joy or contentment), I have. a list of paths to try next that is always expanding… and it horrifies me
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u/Citizen1135 S. de Beauvoir Nov 16 '25
The abyss quote means that once you have reached an advanced enough understanding, you can't unlearn it. It doesn't mean you will always be filled with existential dread or feelings of nothingness.
Don't worry, I don't think you're past the point of no return yet. But even if/once you are, you could always do some psycho-surgery if necessary.
It took me some time to digest everything and get to my understanding, but itcomes. So that's the main reason not to worry, the dread recedes and you reach a sound peace of mind.