It is only human to want relief from pain, adversity, and unpleasantness. Yet sometimes, in our desperate search for a way out, we add to our own stress. We spend many moments fighting and avoiding the reality of suffering. Sometimes the path toward relief requires dwelling in the gateway of discomfort and allowing its presence. To know relief we must also know discomfort.

In mindful presence,
Lori Furbush

At first, meditation is like standing at the water’s edge, observing the ocean. It is thrilling to watch the drama of waves rolling and crashing, spilling over sand and rock. And then, resting into the rhythms, you might drop deeper, discovering mysterious worlds beneath the surface waves. You may even find you are the entire ocean, the waves, life teeming under the surface, and the profound quiet of the abyss.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

It is difficult to think or act with clarity when we’re feeling overwhelmed, spun up, or uncertain. Try imagining yourself as a lake, shimmering in the sunlight, held by the earth. Noticing whatever ripples and waves are present, and inviting them to fade off into the distance. Give it time, allowing the warmth of the sun to shine through, clearing the murky depths and revealing your translucence.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Many of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are instinctual reactions to life events. Your brain likes to follow familiar patterns and keep quick information at the ready, to help you solve problems and to survive.
 
So it may take a bit more work, a bit more time, to engage the parts of the brain that help us respond with clear rational thinking rather than the typical knee-jerk reactions. Once we learn to slow down reactivity, perhaps by pausing and breathing in the midst of a stressful situation, we often find empowerment and the freedom to choose if and how to respond.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush