Endure
ENDURE = to continue in the same state; to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding; to undergo especially without giving in; to suffer; to regard with acceptance or tolerance
QUESTION: How do you endure unpleasant things?
STORY: I have learned - through many years of study and practice - to pay attention to my body - and centering myself when my body tightens up in tension. I am learning to endure unpleasant things in life without reacting. This is what I call THE WORK. For example, when I observe someone doing or saying something that I see as unpleasant, stupid, wrong, inappropriate - my body tightens up. AND - when I pay attention to my bodily tension - instead of reacting to the other person by expressing my displeasure or even shouting at them demanding that they stop and be intelligent - instead - I suffer in the stewpot of tension. My bodily tension is how I remember WHO I AM. I highly recommend the book, Self Remembering - The Path to Nonjudgmental Love, by Red Hawk. If you are interested in practicing the art of suffering in the stewpot of tension - come to my weekly online Ontology Work Chamber. We are a group of people who read this book and work together to practice enduring difficulties and freeing ourselves of the anxiety in life. https://www.drawingtogether.com/workchamber
QUOTES
“The single greatest technique for WORK ON SELF is to endure the unpleasant manifestations of others - without resentment, expressions of displeasure or the demand for intelligence, reason, justice or conscience on the part of others. Endure silently and cheerfully. Suffer in the stewpot of tension.” ~ E.J. Gold
“I will love the light for it shows me the way - yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” ~ Og Mandino
“If thou wilt be observant and vigilant, thou wilt see at every moment the response to thy action. Be observant if thou wouldst have a pure heart, for something is born to thee in consequence of every action.” ~ Rumi
EXERCISE
STOP.
Sit quietly. Assume an erect posture.
Sense the breath.
Sit calmly and pay attention to any tension in your body.
Observe, endure and relax.
Get your pen and paper and write words or draw lines expressing you centering yourself and paying attention to something unpleasant without reacting.
And move forward into your day willing to endure difficulty as you practice self remembering.