How Buddhists Learn to Love Pain

It may seem utterly counterintuitive to turn toward pain. Our evolved instincts are to avoid or to flee it. Yet mindfully accepting our painful feelings is an essential prerequisite to supporting ourselves with kindness and compassion. Accepting our pain means being willing to be present with it, not pushing it away or reacting to it.

When we observe painful feelings, we needn’t do so in a way that’s cold and clinical. We can work against our inherent tendency to resist painful feelings by encouraging ourselves to remain open to them. We can approach these feelings in a spirit that’s warm, supportive, and loving. In practicing self-compassion, we recognize that there is a part of us that is suffering, and give it our support and our love. 

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