Increasing Your Tolerance for Discomfort (S2E4)
As humans, we have become really good at avoiding what we don’t want to feel or experience, especially if it's painful or unpleasant, resulting in us (consciously or unconsciously) spending a lot of our time running away from perceived or future pain. What then happens is our past pains start to dictate our future. Although that might be true in many circumstances, we can learn how to cultivate a skillful relationship to pain and discomfort through self-compassion.
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Transcript
Take a moment to settle into your practice posture whether it’s seated, standing, or even walking or laying down, and bring your attention to the sounds happening around you. Practice being with them just as they are without wondering where they’re coming from.
Bring a light touch of mindfulness at the parts of your body that are in pain. You don't need to spend much time sensing your pain. Just as much as you can bear, however, brief. Acknowledge and honor the part of you that doesn't want to be in pain. The deep desire to be pain free is coming from a wholesome place. Wishing for yourself less suffering in this world.
Hold this part of you with tenderness and kindness.
Inwardly recite these phrases. May you be held in compassion. May you be free from pain and sorrow. May you be at peace.
Let any feelings arise with the words even if they seem contradictory. If need be, adjust the phrases so that you find the exact phrases that best open you.
After repeating the phrases over and over for a few minutes, come back to the sounds going on around you.
