The path to enlightenment isn’t always easy.
Enthusiasts often focus on the inspirational side of meditation. But here’s a dirty little secret: there will be times when meditation will make you feel afraid, almost as though you’re going to fall off the edge of the world.
Fear is a natural part of life. The purpose of meditation isn’t to solve your problems or make discomfort and pain go away. The process is more about giving up control. When you let go of ego, surrender to emotional experiences, and learn to live in the moment, you’ll naturally become more relaxed.
Instinctively, we want to get through painful situations as quickly as possible. But true spiritual awakening only occurs when we learn to live in the moment, which means facing uncertainty and chaos without shrinking away.
For more guidance on using meditation to face life’s challenges, check out our Instaread on When Things Fall Apart.
