Pema Chodron is an American born grandmother at a Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia, Canada. She is the author of many books. She is also available in many YouTube videos. She has just come out with a new book "Welcoming the Unwelcome".
The most common advice that coaches and teachers give about handling difficult situations and emotions relates to the title of her new book. Don't run, don't hide, face the problem. The 13th century poet Rumi has a well-known poem called "The Guest House" .The monk featured in the Mindfulness episode in Netflix's "The Mind, Explained" has the same message as Rumi from centuries ago. When faced with downers and upset and irritants, invite them all in.
You may have heard of nuns and other religious people offering their suffering to God. If you are going to offer something, you need to face it and to recognize it. You need to name it and welcome as a cousin of other problems you and others have had.
Rejecting pain, loss and suffering, sweeping it under the rug often strengthens the problem. Facing it, welcoming it is the most effective way of neutralizing the problem. It is pretty clear that into each life, some rain and other negatives will fall. They can't be stopped. But, it can help to welcome the little bastards and give each a friendly tickle under the chin.
