Taking Care of Personal Suffering: The Direct Path of Healing and Transformation (2 of 3)

Although Dharma teaching makes it clear that personal suffering is not a distraction to practice but is the heart of the practice itself, many practitioners still have a difficult time directly opening to and experiencing their emotional afflictions. Although our teachers instruct us to embrace suffering as the direct path to healing and transformation, we often mindlessly do the opposite of what helps and engage in long-standing habit patterns that make painful situations more so. Rather than opening and embracing the wounded parts of ourselves so that healing and transformation become possible, we harden and shut down. Even though we are practicing diligently, we become discouraged because deep down we aren’t feeling better. Even more importantly, we lose our capacity to manifest understanding and compassion with those we love.

This three day retreat was offered for students wanting to make a commitment to their spiritual development by looking deeply into the Four Noble Truths as a guide to transforming suffering. It offered participants a personal, practical and targeted approach to working with their suffering as an integral part of daily practice.