Stillness Reflection # 8. Even Pain Is Known

A gentle Stillness Reflection exploring the presence of pain, illness, and vulnerability within compassionate awareness.
Rather than attempting to change or transcend human experience, this contemplative reading invites a quiet recognition: sensations, emotions, and uncertainty are deeply felt — and yet are softly held within an inseparable field of knowing that remains open and unchanged.

Through slow pacing and tender language, listeners are guided to rest with what is present without resistance, denial, or effort. This reflection supports emotional integration, self-compassion, and a softening of the struggle often associated with discomfort or difficulty.

Ideal for moments of fatigue, loss, overwhelm, healing, illness or quiet introspection, Even Pain is Known offers a grounded space where nothing needs to be fixed — only gently met within awareness.

Transcript

Even pain is known.

Right now,

Before any effort to understand,

Before any attempt to change,

What is being felt?

Just pause.

Notice the body as it is in this moment.

Perhaps there is ease,

Perhaps discomfort,

Perhaps pain,

Trauma,

Emotion,

Fatigue or vulnerability.

And if there is imbalance or suffering,

Let it be gently held with compassion and understanding.

Right now,

Recognise what is present.

The body lives within change.

Moments of strength,

Moments of fragility,

Periods of health,

Periods of illness.

Sensations arise,

Shift and sometimes quietly linger.

Emotions may follow,

Doubt,

Concern,

Sadness,

Uncertainty,

Tenderness.

All of it human,

Present,

Tender and deeply felt.

Right now,

With awareness,

Allow,

Acknowledge and rest quietly with what is here.

No denying,

No resisting,

No forcing,

Just quiet acceptance.

Of this present moment.

Feelings may echo uncertainty,

Pain,

Discomfort or loss.

The breath may feel laboured,

Shallow or heavy.

Energy may feel strong or fragile.

And all of it appears within inseparable awareness,

Quietly known,

Present without denial,

Strain or resistance.

Look gently,

Right now.

Does awareness carry pain?

Does awareness become ill?

Or does pain,

Discomfort arise within a spaciousness that remains unchanged?

Notice,

Awareness does not withdraw from comfort.

It holds,

It includes,

It remains present.

Thoughts may appear,

This should not be happening,

I want this to end,

I am afraid.

And these too are tender movements,

Appearing and gently met within awareness.

Nothing pushed away,

All is allowed to be felt.

All met with understanding and compassion.

Even in difficulty,

Awareness remains open,

Intimate,

Inseparable from what is known and felt.

Not distant and not detached.

Gently knowing every sensation,

Every breath,

Every fear,

Every moment of vulnerability.

And sometimes,

When experience is gently held in this compassionate way,

There may be an easing,

A softening.

Not because pain disappears,

But because nothing is alone,

Everything held within one spacious presence.

Right now,

Allow everything to be exactly as it is.

Tension,

Fatigue,

Discomfort,

Uncertainty.

All moving within the same compassionate,

Inseparable awareness.

No need to resolve,

No need to understand.

Just this simple awareness,

Quietly holding what is here.

Even as the body changes,

Even as conditions shift,

Awareness remains open,

Present,

Unbroken.

Inseparable awareness,

Quietly present with all that is unfolding.

Gently holding,

Comforting and quietly knowing.

In each moment.