EP 301: The Benefit of Turning Towards Discomfort

As we develop the skill of mindfulness - the ability to experience our lives on a moment-to-moment basis without judgment- the physical, emotional, and mental benefits are truly amazing. (And very well studied and documented, btw) One of the key aspects to this practice is non-judgment, which is to say an open and compassionate curiosity about our unfolding experiences. And a great way to practice this, in any time of your day, is to practice leaning into discomfort. Our suffering often comes not from the experience itself, but from our turning away from, or unwillingness to accept, our own discomfort, even if only temporarily. So when you have minor discomforts: a little pain in your body, a slightly unpleasant emotion, or a little troubling thought; try to be present with it for a little while and see what happens. You’ll probably find that whatever the discomfort, it is a lot less permanent than you thought. If you’d like more information about how, and why, to do this practice, please reach out.