Mindful Monday: A Tender Truth
Last week, my heart felt tender. I participated in a 5-day retreat, and my dear Inner Child showed up.
Sadness visited me in waves—sometimes with tears, sometimes as a quiet ache, sometimes as a deep heaviness in my chest.
It wasn’t always easy to feel. But when I stayed present, observing rather than resisting, I could hold space for the part of me that was hurting.
Offering love and kindness to myself felt deeply nourishing. I was also held by the supportive energy of my group, which I’ve grown very close to over the past several years. Both touched me in profound ways.
As I write this, I realize that when I first became a meditation teacher, I wouldn’t have shared that I was feeling sad. I believed I always had to model peace and happiness, placing pressure on myself to appear a certain way. I saw peace as a destination, not a way of being.
Now, I see authenticity and vulnerability as powerful strengths—a gateway to true transformation.
Feeling my feelings is also a strength.
And as I softened into my experience, it brought me a deep sense of peace.
This quote from A.H. Almaas speaks to my soul:
“It’s possible to be free from suffering when there is no desire to be free from suffering.”
We live in a culture that resists discomfort. We're taught to distract, numb, or push difficult emotions aside. Many of us grew up believing that feeling sadness or anger means something is wrong, or that we are wrong. And if we're happy, that must mean we're good.
So when challenging feelings show up, we can often have thoughts like...
“I shouldn’t feel this way.”
“I’m weak.”
“What’s wrong with me?"
Our reactions aren’t flaws—they’re reflections of our conditioning from a young age. And what was learned can also be unlearned.
For much of my life, I resisted my feelings. I was searching for peace, not realizing that this resistance was the barrier to what I longed for. Stored emotions only created more tension, anxiety, depression, and a deeper sense of disconnection.
Today, I don’t practice mindfulness to feel a certain way all of the time.
I am passionate about exploring, being curious, feeling the aliveness of the moment, and experiencing my true nature. This supports me in being grounded in presence and trusting that I have everything I need to meet whatever arises. This is freedom.
“Your pain, your sorrow, your doubts… they are not mistakes. They are asking to be held—here, now—lightly, in the loving, healing arms of present awareness.”
~ Jeff Foster
What if we became willing to be uncomfortable?
We can’t control our emotions—like thoughts, they arise on their own—but we can choose how we respond. We can meet them with compassion and care.
My experience reminded me again: there is nothing to fix—only countless opportunities to love myself, one moment at a time.
It’s Sunday night, and being quiet to reflect on the last several days feels so nice.
There is a delightful, quiet aliveness in my mind and body. I feel grounded and open. I bow to True Nature for the grace that unfolded within me and around me.
From this place of presence, I am grateful to be hosting a Women’s Retreat, "Reconnecting to Your True Essence' on May 30-June 1, just outside of London. There are still two spots open. I’d love to share this transformative experience with you. Contact me.
To our freedom,
Diane