In the opening of his book “The Road Less Traveled,” the late psychiatrist M. Scott Peck states that life is difficult. This is a profound truth because once we recognize and accept it, life becomes less difficult. When we come to terms with the inevitability of suffering, this aspect of being human becomes easier to handle.
I would like to offer some suggestions to help you understand this concept better. Please read the following points slowly and thoughtfully, giving yourself time to reflect on each one and how it relates to your personal experiences.
Let go of any defensiveness or the need to appear perfect, and embrace your vulnerability. Release the desire to see yourself as always succeeding and accept that being imperfect is part of being human.
Spend at least a minute on each of these thoughts, or perhaps a bit longer on the final one. The first four activities are designed to help you empathize with yourself. They allow you to see yourself as someone deserving of support. This self-empathy forms the basis for being kind to yourself. Phrases like “May I be well. May I be at ease. May I be kind to myself and others,” serve as ways to show yourself support. By the time you reach the fifth suggestion, you might find that you genuinely want to offer yourself kindness and encouragement.
These reflections can bring up feelings of vulnerability, which might be uncomfortable. It’s common for heartache or sadness to emerge during this process. These emotions are often buried out of duty or fear, and acknowledging them can be daunting. We often pretend to be happier than we are and view suffering as a temporary setback. Recognizing that we frequently suffer and that we’re not always in control can be challenging.
If painful feelings arise, it’s important to accept them and approach them with kindness. Experiencing these emotions is a positive sign, indicating that we’re becoming more attuned to the reality that life is difficult. Self-empathy and kindness are crucial for accepting this reality, allowing us to move past the fear that leads to denial.
These reflections guide us from fear and denial to love and acceptance. Embracing our vulnerability helps us understand the difficulties of life, but it also allows us to be kind and supportive towards ourselves as we navigate the human experience.