The Posture of Pain
July 19, 2013 § 14 Comments
As I recall and ponder the dark moments in my life, I can see that although each one was uniquely poisonous, one thing ran through them, one constant tying them all together. In each such moment, whatever the particular form of my darkness, I was always either looking backward or forward in time.
In those dark moments of self-loathing, I needed to look backward, seeing in the wake of my life the countless failures and missed opportunities. Similarly, to feel real anxiety or deep fear, I had to conjure what was ahead and imagine just how unprepared and unworthy I would be.
The appraising gaze back and forth along time’s arrow. The posture of pain.
And so I understand. Stay here, right here, in this present moment.
So simple, and yet such a struggle.
only here only now 
“The Posture of Pain”. Do you know how brilliant that is? I have no other words. Brilliant, Tom. Thank you, thank you for this image …
If we are honest, we all struggle with learning to stay present. Kudos to you to seeing and being.
So beautifully said. It so easy to say, not so easy to do. 🙂
beautiful and brilliant…ah to stay in the present!
Oftentimes life does feel like a series of blatantly unsolvable paradoxes…The Universe throws at you seemingly impossible challenges. It is baffling as you know that no matter how skilful your action, you are bound to fail.
You know beforehand that you lose, that whatever you’ll do is of no avail, yet you are compelled to act…
Compelled to fail.
Failing seems to be one ‘s only share…
Failing is my posture of pain…
Such a terrible struggle to accept this…
To stay here, right here with this predicament seems to be my only choice…
The utmost hopelessness…the harshest and wisest Master…
It *is* a struggle, isn’t it… somehow, I get the feeling it’s supposed to be for us all… I don’t understand why that is…
but you can do it Tom… I know you can… I just know it 🙂
We need the pain to contrast and appreciate the pleasure. Pain stimulates growth, if you are open to it. Still…difficult. I love the phrase you give it: the “posture of pain.”
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability, pointing to this moment as the place where suffering can cease.
Wonderful to see your new posts this week, Tom.
Amazing how difficult it is for all of us to live in the “now” and not burden ourselves with yesterday and what may happen tomorrow. May you find peace and always remember, you are not alone in your struggle.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Laura,
So happy to be reconnected with you.
You continue to inspire.
Thank you for your warm and beautiful presence.
Tom
This very moment…it’s all that we have for sure. Best enjoy it…..
Such truth in those words, Thomas. And the only moment we have any control over is the now. Kung Fu Panda said it the best: ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift . That’s why it’s called the present.’ May you become more comfortable in the moment and let the rest flow over you, unable to leave pain or remorse in its wake This moment, this very moment, you are light and you are love. And that is all that matters.
The juices are flowing now Thomas….thanks for the inspiration. IT’s all about the moment.
Such an excellent title, Tom!
And then so well described. Great stuff.