Before I even begin, I want to acknowledge the desperateness of pain, the challenge of pain, the aggravation of pain... what follows is not a prescription of how to be, it is an invitation and if it resonates lean in.. if it doesn't simply let it fall to the wayside.
Give yourself permission to be your own authority on how you choose to navigate your own life's journey.
If you choose to stay and explore the possibility of embracing pain, I hope there will be some honey here for you.
As we begin, let me bring you into the energies I am sitting with by sharing with you a part of one of William Blakes most famous poems, which I feel is so profoundly perfect as we explore this arena of joy and pain.
'It is right it should be so
Man was made for Joy & Woe
And when this we rightly know
Thro the World we safely go
Joy & Woe are woven fine
A Clothing for the soul divine
Under every grief & pine
Runs a joy with silken twine'
[William Blake]
Life is a journey filled with experiences, some joyful, others' painful.
While we all would, I think, naturally seek happiness and a desire to avoid pain, it is important to recognise that pain is not only inevitable but pivotal to our growth.
It seems almost paradoxical, but some of the most challenging moments in our life hold within them the tremendous potential for transformation, and the power to lead us into acceptance, presence and self-discovery.
Painful experiences, whether they stem from personal loss, heartbreak, failure, or adversity, have within them a remarkable ability to act as catalysts for personal growth.
When we meet resistance we can grow stronger as all exercise can show us; lack in our life can lead to deep appreciation for what we have; difficult relationships can show us where we can build strength, boundaries or resilience; losing someone we love can show us how much we can love and how precious life is; failure can alter our direction, can push us to be build our resources or deepen our knowledge, or can grow our determination; and ill-health can be a sign to slow down, to seek alternative healthcare, to appreciate our bodies, or to lean into the ultimate surrender.
When we emerge from the depths of suffering, we discover our strength and our tremendous capacity to overcome difficulty.
And so it can often be in our most trying times that we find the strength, resourcefulness or peace within us that we never knew existed.
The hardship too can be a catalyst towards the re-evaluation of our perspectives, values, and priorities, prompting us to grow and evolve.
This doesn't mean that when we are in the eye of the storm, or at the sharp edge of the pain we can see the growth - just like when we feel the burn when we lift weights, or the pain when we run up a hill, or the arm shake when doing that press up sequence - in the moment of pain it may be that all we can do is lean in, but perhaps acknowledge that somewhere within something is growing.
Pain, in its multitude of forms, as we will all be so keenly aware, brings with it the most intense emotions — sadness, anger, fear, shame, guilt, and even despair - and these emotions, while difficult to endure, can provide us with a powerful opportunity; an opportunity to learn about ourselves, listen to our needsm and to heal from our past.
When we allow ourselves to fully feel and process our emotions we can discover a greater understanding of our mindset and the rich contours of our emotional landscape.
And through a process of leaning in and listening, we can find ourselves moving into a place of deeper self-knowing, emotional acceptance, and greater self-awareness and resilience.
And there is more. Experiencing pain can so often prompt us to reevaluate our perspectives on life and what it is that truly matters. It forces us to confront our mortality and the impermanence of all things; helping to open the doorway for a greater appreciation of the present moment and willingness to show-up fully for the deep mystery and beauty of this gift of life.
And this shift in perspective can bring us into an unexpected depth of love, joy and peace.
As we operate from the front-edge of life.. that extraordinary moment from which life is unfolding.. we can begin to savor each moment, and be full conscious in all of it's unique, raw, messy, beautiful, felt, preciousness.
'To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour'
[William Blake]
As much as experiencing pain can feel like a deeply personal experience, it can actually offer us a powerful way of connecting with others'; As living through pain can guide us towards deeper empathy and compassion for the experience of others'.
For when we've walked through the darkness ourselves, we can understand so much better the suffering that others may be enduring; And this empathy can build deep, beautiful and authentic connections, can help others' to feel understood in our shared humanity, and through sharing our personal pain (and perhaps our healing) we can help others' to navigate theirs'. Which, through small ways can help to change the world as more people stop living from their pain, and start living from their power.
And through releasing pain we too can claim more of our power.
Painful experiences, although challenging, have the potential to lead us into a state of profound presence as we surrender and invite in love.
They serve as reminders of our resilience, prompt us to explore the depths of our emotions, and encourage us to shift our perspectives towards a more mindful and compassionate way of living.
By embracing pain and acknowledging its' capacity to transform, we can perhaps navigate life's ups and downs with greater wisdom, an invitation for peace and permission to honour your presence (and all that you are holding).
And as we lean into acceptance or loving endurance, we may just find a surprising well of strength, love and self compassion, and perhaps an opportunity to reframe the experience as one of growth, surrender, self-knowledge, profound presence or simply of trust.
I want to leave you with a few powerful quotes:
'Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on Earth.'
[Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1821-1881, Russian writer]
...
'Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning.'
[Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881, British Prime Minister]
...
'The wound is the place where the Light enters you'
[Rumi, 1207-1273, Persian mystic & poet]
If you are interested by other peoples' journeys through pain and into presence I have a podcast/youtube episode out now in which I speak to two beautiful women about this powerful and deeply human topic.
You can find the latest episode of This Wyrd World on youtube here:
Or listen here:
Do you feel you need support in working with your pain? Book a free discovery call with me to honour yourself, your growth and your journey
Tansy Baigent is a Shamanic Healer
Specialising in:
- Spiritual/Intuitive Guidance Counselling
- Soul Retrievals
- Spiritual Guidance (connecting to spirit guides, ancestors, and/or channelling for greater personal wisdom and resources)
Book a free discovery call: HERE