The Way Out Is Through
La salida es a través
A student discovers they have been suffering more than they allowed themselves to acknowledge, and the teacher encourages them to befriend that suffering rather than push it away.
The Way Out Is Through
A student discovers they have been suffering more than they allowed themselves to acknowledge, and the teacher encourages them to befriend that suffering rather than push it away.
I feel like I have something to say, but I don't know what it is. How do you figure that out?
If you have something to say but you don't know what it is, just speak spontaneously. Don't think. It's like improvising on the guitar. Just make sounds with your mouth.
Well, I guess I've been suffering a lot lately. I can say that.
Say more about that, if you want.
I know.
Realizing we suffer
It sounds like a realization. When we believe we don't suffer and then we realize that we do, it's a very good thing.
I feel you. It's not about moving away from suffering. The way out of suffering is through suffering. This is really good for you.
It's old. Ancient.
Yes. And it's here now. Now you can make it your friend and not push it away. Everything you have done has prepared you for this, has made you strong.
It makes me feel almost embarrassed.
That's a natural human response, but there's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone knows this. And it's okay to feel shame; there's just nothing for you to be ashamed of. I really feel you.
I'm shaking.
Befriending what was pushed away
Make this your friend. It's a very important part of you. You've been pushing it away.
It was a huge release.
Yes. It takes a lot of effort to convince ourselves we're not suffering. It's a lot of work, and so unnecessary. It's a way of coping that was necessary for a young part of us. For some of us, that's how we managed and survived. But at some point it's just not helping anymore. It takes a lot of energy.
Yeah, it's a pain in the stomach.
Running away from what we feel is a lot of work. This is a really good thing. A big breakthrough.
I'm trying not to let it get to my head.
The temptation to make it a story
How does it get to your head? What is the tendency? "Oh, I had a breakthrough." You put a spiritual badge on it, which turns it into a story, which is the way you will escape the suffering again. Just keep seeing that. It's still a breakthrough. It was very tender.
I feel you. Be very gentle with yourself. Thank you so much for sharing. It's very vulnerable and courageous.