Are you caught in the exhausting loop of thinking life should feel better than it does right now? In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill explores the First Noble Truth—dukkha, the ordinary “itchiness” of life—and the four great lies that keep us stuck: that things should be different, that you need to fix things to feel better, that you’ll be happy when, and that there’s no way to be happy. Diana shares a modern take on the Four Noble Truths, describing a horizontal plane of ease and dis-ease and a vertical plane of resisting versus freedom, reminding us that resisting makes suffering worse and that freedom is available here and now.

Listen and learn:

• How dukkha shows up in everyday life (like the “itchy sweater”)
• The four great lies that drive grasping, avoidance, and dissatisfaction
• Why resisting what is keeps you “below the line” in suffering
• The practice of telling the truth with “And this too”

Listen in, and if it resonates, share this episode with someone who’s stuck in the “it should be different” story.

Suggested Next Episode:

You can also enjoy Diana's related Bonus Meditation: Dissatisfaction

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Become a Wise Effort Community member
• Order my book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.