Zensesday

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2010
Zensesday
5
Wed, 01-05-2011 - 11:37am

The raw pain of the first couple of months has been on my mind this week. As humans, we seem to have a very low tolerance for pain and discomfort. Like Iddy said in Unbreakme's post - it really IS darkest before the dawn. In that very dark place, where we can't get comfortable, is where the journey of awakening begins. You can't take the easy way out of this. You have to do the work. You have to feel the pain. You have to practice - my daughter's dance teacher says practice makes "permanent" not practice makes perfect. We will never be perfect. There is no finish line - it's a process - and a very difficult one at times. When the waves get really rough, do nothing. Sit, let the tears flow.

Bodhi

PS - I won't be here next week for Zensesday! The kids and I are going to visit Mickey :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2010
In reply to: bodhi2010
Wed, 01-05-2011 - 12:00pm

Dear Bodhi,

I just love this reminder about "pain" ... and I think there are more than a few examples of how trying to escape pain, rather than managing the discomfort, interrupts a valuable process.

I will use what I know ... birth.

I am not one to blow smoke about embracing the pain of birth, but I am one that embraces the notion that pain can be productive. Pain in birth is productive if not interrupted. The pain requires the labouring woman to move, to sing & chant, to groan, to reach out, to go inwards ... above all else, riding the pain produces indescribable euphoria pushing & birthing the baby out. It has been experienced & described as Orgasmic. Interfering with that process can, & often does, interrupt that process in ways that damage both mothers & babes. THIS IS NOT A DEBATE, that's not what I am trying to get at ... ONLY that escaping pain when one is afraid of it, when one is alone & unsupported, & there is something or someone trying to convince you that there is an EASY WAY OUT OF IT ... well there just never is. There are only alternative with their own consequences, often unanticipated. Good old denial tries to convince us there is easier.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2010
In reply to: bodhi2010
Wed, 01-05-2011 - 12:06pm

Thank you Bodhi for posting this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2008
In reply to: bodhi2010
Wed, 01-05-2011 - 3:30pm

I really needed to hear this today.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2010
In reply to: bodhi2010
Wed, 01-05-2011 - 4:04pm

TU,

I identify with the kind of pain that "gives birth"

Recently, Ive noticed that I'm more apt to admit to others that are struggling or in pain about different areas of life - that I also 'suffer' with various issues. My pain has given birth to more self-honesty, self-disclosure, more equality between myself and others, and more self-acceptance. (not needing to present myself as "perfect" to be seen as worthy / acceptable)

The beauty of the birth softens the edges of the raw pain.

I love your analogies,

Michelle

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. I started looking inside and went NC October 15, 2010
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-10-2010
In reply to: bodhi2010
Wed, 01-05-2011 - 8:08pm

Thanks, Bodhi.