The Pendulum of Mindfulness

When we have a negative experience of something unpleasant or hurtful, often we try to push away the source of that pain. Mindfulness teaches us that this action is analogous to pushing away a pendulum. Although it will leave us alone temporarily, it will swing back to us through its own momentum and the force of gravity.

Similarly, when we have a positive experience of something that makes us happy or comfortable, we often try to hold onto the source of that positivity. However, by holding onto it, we tire ourselves out and we will eventually have to let go. When we're holding it, it isn't free and we aren't free either.

If we can accept the come and go of life, we can alleviate a great deal of suffering. To be able to accept the change that is inevitable, we must acknowledge phenomena fully, being fully alive to the nature of the wonders and mishaps that life brings.