Mindfulness In Plain English sat on my shelf for years. I can’t recall when I bought the book, if it was a gift, or how many apartments it moved with me from. But two weeks ago, I finally picked it up. 

Bhante Gunaratana wrote this book intending to “express something new in a way people can understand [using] the simplest language possible.” He communicates the nature of mindfulness and its implications in meditation. I haven’t had a book capture my curiosity this tightly in such a dynamic and profound way before. I found myself drawn towards and into mindfulness, seeking purification of my mind, acceptance of who I am, and approaching thoughts with compassionate curiosity. 

While many passages stuck with me, in speaking on the nature of dealing with problems that creep up during mediation, Gunaratana exclaims, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is not.” Life can quickly be wrapped up in avoiding pain. We are instructed to avoid conflict, pivot when we notice discomfort, find a way out when we are stuck, and seek a life void of pain. 

“Pain is inevitable, suffering is not.”

Pain is a certainty of life; to suffer is not. Runners are often instructed to dig deep and enter the pain cave. So why do we never talk about what to do when you are there? Or what is the pain?

One of my biggest fears when it comes to racing is that I acknowledge the pain and listen to the voice that tells me to pursue the past of least resistance. I’ve done this in most of my runs, but what would happen if I could view my pain differently? What if I could welcome it to the party, as Jeff Warren instructs in meditation, acknowledging its presence? I’d thank pain for reminding me of the body that holds me and continue moving forward regardless in full awareness that it is not suffering. 

To me, this is what is missing in most running dialogue. We don’t anticipate and have a limited understanding of the nature of pain. It is easy to assume that if we train harder, run more miles, focus on mobility, do yoga, do more and more, and more, we will outsmart our bodies from pain while forgetting the mind. What if, within ourselves, beyond the physical nature of our limbs, we learn to train our minds to accept the pain and discomfort associated with growth? 

This training does not strictly require movement and can be practiced in our daily routines and patterns. I’ve found myself in the presence of pain with meditation, where I’m convinced that if I shuffle my body, readjust my mat, or straighten my spine, the problem will resolve. I’ve come to see that the pain and distraction will continue, and my opportunity is to acknowledge it and move forwards despite it. In another application this may come up during the workday, with the pain of continuing a task when you desire the instant gratification of checking your phone, or grabbing a snack, whatever strains your focus away. 

While I am not well versed in this concept, this is precisely what I am pursuing in my coaching. To implement a mind & body connection beyond running and into mindfulness.

I seek to accept pain and the discomfort attached to growth, knowing that it is not suffering, 

I’m adding that line to my daily affirmations, and I implore you to get curious to see if those words stick with you.