Run Towards Pain

In our pursuit of happiness and contentment, many of us fantasize about a life without pain. We want a happy life. We want a world where suffering, fear, and anxiety are mere relics of the past. But the truth is, such a utopia doesn't exist. Life is filled with ups and downs, and pain is an inevitable part of the human experience.

The constant pressure to self-improve and achieve a problem-free existence can be overwhelming. We tend to believe that if we reach a certain milestone or find the perfect partner, all our pain will magically disappear. However, this mindset sets us up for disappointment, as it keeps us chasing an elusive dream.

Instead of running away from pain, it's time to embrace it. Maybe even RUN TOWARDS PAIN. This is what Pema Chodrun encourages in her book and I fucking love it.

Pain is a natural and essential aspect of our lives, and attempting to avoid it only prolongs our suffering. When we confront pain head-on and learn to lean into it, we open ourselves up to profound growth and self-awareness.

The idea of running towards pain might sound counterintuitive, but it's a powerful approach. Embracing pain allows us to understand its inevitability and normalize its presence in our lives. Just like a recurring character in a captivating story, pain will make periodic appearances, and we cannot escape it entirely.

Recently, I experienced a resurgence of painful emotions, and my initial reaction was to analyze and suppress them. However, the more I tried to control and distance myself from the pain, the more it seemed to intensify. It wasn't until I stopped resisting and acknowledged pain's natural place in my journey that I began to find relief.

Rather than focusing on the elusive resolution, I learned to accept pain as a necessary part of my humanity. It became an opportunity for self-discovery and a chance to connect with the larger tapestry of my life story. Embracing pain enabled me to pick up books, read, and further explore my own emotions and experiences.

Moreover, connecting my pain with the struggles of others—be it clients, friends, or family—instilled a sense of empathy and kindness towards myself. Instead of judging myself harshly or getting lost in endless analysis, I learned to approach my pain with compassion.

Pain is undoubtedly difficult to bear, but it won't break us. We can learn to find strength and resilience by accepting that pain is part of being human. It doesn't mean we won't experience joy or happiness; rather, it makes these positive emotions even more profound.

So, let's stop chasing the fantasy of a pain-free life. Instead, let's welcome the full spectrum of emotions and experiences that life has to offer. By embracing pain and acknowledging its presence, we can navigate life's challenges with greater self-awareness and find solace in our shared humanity.

The rest of this article is an audio note about my own experience wishing pain away instead of accepting it. I also give some ideas about how to cope with this reality.