There are moments when life feels unbearably heavy, when even the smallest step forward seems impossible. In those times, it may help to remember that just as the moon wanes and waxes, so too does our experience of suffering. No feeling, no hardship, no moment is permanent. Consider the changing of the seasons—harsh winters give way to spring, and even the longest night eventually meets the dawn. History, too, reminds us of this truth; great challenges, like those faced by leaders and communities in times of struggle, have eventually led to transformation and renewal. Whatever you are facing now will shift, just as all things do.
Do you like what you are reading? Sign up below for more blog posts.
Suffering is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It is not a punishment or a failure. It is part of this human experience, woven into the fabric of existence. When we resist it, when we fight against our pain or tell ourselves we shouldn’t feel this way, suffering tightens its grip. But if we turn towards it with even the smallest amount of openness, we may begin to see something unexpected—a softening, a shift, a crack where light can enter.
You are not alone. Even if it feels like no one understands, or feels what you feel, there are countless others walking their own paths through struggle. Some are ahead of you on the road, some are beside you, and some will come after, learning from the traces you leave behind. Just as you are not alone in your suffering, you are not alone in your healing.
Do you like what you are reading? Sign up below for more blog posts.
Whatever burden you carry right now, you do not have to hold it so tightly. Let it rest for a moment. Even in the smallest way, allow yourself to release—through a deep breath, through a gentle smile, through a moment of silence where you do nothing but exist. Trust that this moment will pass, just as all moments before it have.
A powerful practice to help shift the focus from our own suffering is Tonglen—the practice of breathing in the suffering of ourselves and others and breathing out relief, compassion, and healing. To enjoy a guided meditation on Tonglen with me go here. When we recognize that countless beings experience pain just as we do, our suffering loses some of its isolating grip. By offering compassion outward, we remind ourselves that we are interconnected. In extending kindness beyond our own struggles, we create space for hope to arise.
There is a deep well of strength within you, even if you cannot feel it right now. It does not disappear in hardship; it is revealed through it. Each challenge, each sorrow, each moment of despair carves out space within you—not to make you hollow, but to make room for something new.
Do you like what you are reading? Sign up below for more blog posts.
Right now, it may feel impossible to see beyond the storm. But even in the midst of uncertainty, small steps can guide the way—like reaching out to a friend, practicing gratitude for even the smallest comforts, or simply allowing yourself to rest without judgment. Just as travelers navigate through rough weather by seeking shelter and waiting for clearer skies, you too can find moments of stability amidst the chaos. Trust that clarity will come. Know that storms do not last forever. The sky clears. The earth settles. And when it does, you will still be here. Changed, perhaps. Softer, perhaps. But still here.
So take another breath. Feel the life within you. And know that you are moving forward, even now.
Do you like what you are reading? Sign up below for more blog posts.
Visit my Free Resources page here for more inspiration.
With kindness and warmth,
Lama Chimey
Get Dharma Blog Posts straight to your device
Lama Chimey 