Pain As A Doorway

Even pain can be a doorway into a vast spaciousness beyond physical sensation. In this mediation, we will practice opening to pain, exploring pain, finding comfort and stillness in the body, filling the body with silence, and expanding awareness beyond the pain held within the body.

Opening and closing "Earth" Koshi Chime recorded by narrator.

Transcript

Namaste. This meditation is titled Pain as a Doorway and we will practice opening to the pain and exploring the pain, Finding comfort and stillness in the body, Filling the body with silence and expanding awareness beyond the pain held within the body. So settle yourself now into a position that feels supportive and effortless. Let the body arrive as though it has just been placed gently here. No need to hold yourself up. No need to arrange anything further. Just arrive. Take a deep breath in and let it go, Allowing the body to relax and settle. Bring your awareness to the area of the body where sensation calls for your attention. Not forcing, Just allowing awareness to be drawn like a tide to the shore. Let yourself feel what is here, Sensation as it is, Moment to moment, Shifting, Changing. You may notice how the body subtly tightens around discomfort, How it gathers, Contracts, As though forming a fist. See if you can feel that, The quiet instinct to close, To protect, To contain. And now, Very gently, Begin to soften all around the sensation, Not pushing the pain away, Not trying to change it, But opening, Like a hand slowly uncurling, The fist loosening finger by finger, Softening around the sensation. Let the body release its grip. Even a small softening creates space. Let the sensation be held in openness. Notice any fear, Any guarding gathered around the pain, And allow that, Too, To soften, To melt. Nothing needs to be pushed away. The pain does not need to be imprisoned or controlled. Let it float in a field of gentleness. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften. Soften.