Turning toward discomfort, we release suffering. Our tendency is to brace against physical, emotional, and mental discomfort or to turn away from it. The discomfort may be physical pain, illness, or limitations, feelings of anxiety, sadness, grief, depression, anger, disappointment, unworthiness, or rejection, or negative and judgmental thoughts toward ourselves or others.
When we turn away from or resist discomfort, our body tightens. When we turn away from discomfort, we often create more suffering for ourselves in the things that we do to turn away. Try turning toward discomfort with an attitude of interest, friendliness, and compassion. When we learn to hold our discomfort with compassion, we find the wisdom to discern whether any action is required, and we become free to discover the lessons, gifts, and the transformation. We become more resilient to present and future difficulties.
…when we bring a caring and fearless attention to that which is injured and difficult, these very circumstances often offer us important lessons and even surprising gifts that will transform our lives. –Jack Kornfield