The Courageous Life
Founded by coach and teacher Joshua Steinfeldt, The Courageous Life invites you into a deep conversation about finding the courage to pursue what matters most in life, work, and love.
The Courageous Life
Practicing Courage #34: The path to inner freedom
There is a beautiful teaching metaphor that comes out of buddhist psychology about 2 darts.
As we move through life we inevitably experience pain.
From minor bumps and scrapes,
To major injury, loss, heartbreak, and catastrophe.
This is the 1st dart.
What’s interesting about pain though is that it can often be accompanied by
thoughts about the pain:
- “This shouldn’t be happening.”
- “What if this doesn’t end?”
- “There’s something wrong with you." Etc.
These are add ons.
They’re the extras that in moments where we are in pain, can pile on.
Adding to the weight and intensity of the experience.
Turning what is already painful into experiences marked by additional suffering.
These add ons are the 2nd dart.
Within this metaphor though there is a possibility for less suffering.
When we learn to put the second darts down,
to not throw them as much,
or not throw them at all,
we suffer less and we experience more freedom.
Today, we'll look at a simple practice for turning this possibility into a reality which in part was inspired by yesterday's Courageous Life conversation with renowned therapist Dr. Jacob Ham.
Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Dr. Ham:
Thank you for your practice today.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
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