Pain versus Suffering

As humans, we are wired to avoid pain and chase pleasure.

We’ve been taught that pain is the enemy and should be avoided at all costs.

We are addicted to pleasure.

And sometimes, we even inflict pain on others… just to avoid accessing our own.

And as much as I’m not against pleasure —I’m not against pain either.

Pain is a signal.

A signal that something needs attention —in the physical body, in the emotional body.

Pain tells us something needs to shift.

But most of us avoid it —taking painkillers, staying busy, forcing ourselves to be positive.

We don’t welcome these signs of disharmony.

And by doing that, we delay re-harmony.

We delay healing.

We delay evolution.

We delay expansion.

And instead… we create suffering.

Suffering is what happens when we don’t accept what is.

We resist it.

“I’m in pain — but I don’t want to feel this pain.”

That resistance is the suffering.

Some people can stay in suffering for years —holding on to pain, not allowing grief, not accepting what life brought.

Pain, contrast, contraction… are necessary.

But when we don’t allow them, we stay stuck.

We deprive ourselves of the shift.

I see this so often with my clients.

Sometimes, in one session, deep relief comes —just because they allow themselves to feel something they’ve been holding for so long.

To be witnessed.

With compassion.

And then… something moves.

Eventually, they learn to hold themselves in that same compassion too.

I don’t believe in a life where pain doesn’t exist.

And on a spiritual journey — that’s not the goal anyway.

But I do believe we can end a lot of suffering if we learn to be more present with what is.

With what we feel.

With the now.

That’s one of the most beautiful lessons I’m still learning about life.

And you, what is your relationship with pain?

With love,

Laeti