When you are in the midst of despair, or sadness or loss, illness and addiction, even in the darkest, most separate place, there is That which witnesses the suffering mind and broken heart with complete acceptance and absolute compassion and love. 

And yet, it is very human to experience and identify with everything, often with no clarity about "why" these painful states are upon us. We judge and resist painful states or deny them which often only prolongs them. 

Just be with whatever comes. Feel it, embrace it, stay with these painful moments. Even if these painful moments become hours, days or even years. There is a body and a mind. Claiming ownership of form is what "being human" is all about. 

We are taught to believe we are this body mind, and while we are conscious that "we" are in the body with a mind, it is the purpose of this discourse to remind us all what we really are, what we are, that is prior to consciousness. 

Often we are lost in the dance of mind and form because we are "searching" for meaning and love in a world that holds no real solace. I'm not suggesting that it is impossible to experience love in the phenomenal world, quite the contrary, it is the only place it can be experienced. It is why we have manifested in form, to experience anything there must be consciousness and form.

There is a body. There is a mind that creates a story. This is what the mind does. This is the minds job. It thinks. The body feels. 

When the mind and body create pain or when you are experiencing pain just feel it, it is all good even when it hurts. What else can you do?

Negative and painful states, like positive and joyful states come and go. It is natural to want to cling to joyful states and resist painful ones, but when thoughts and feelings come and everything hurts, welcome this, be with yourself and remember this too shall pass. 

It is common to believe that "enlightenment" means we have transcended painful states and only experience joyful ones. This is not enlightenment. Enlightenment simply means that everything is experienced fully without ownership. To exist in form in the full range of human experience is why we are in bodies with a mind. 

To fully experience everything from the viewpoint that is prior to consciousness, with a body and a mind, is why we are here, it is what this dance is all about. 

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house

every moment a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house 

empty of it's furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark though, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent 

as a guide from beyond.

Rumi