Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

We live in a consumer-based culture that values success based on the attainment of the comfortable life. We surround ourselves with exotic pillows, fine beds, soft chairs, fashionable clothing, pain medications, an abundance of food, state-of-the-art devices and entertainment galore. There is nothing wrong with possessions and comfort. Nevertheless, attachment to these comforts can be a source of stress.

Let us examine comfort with respect to some of the underlying elements that can cause stress.

We live in a consumer-based culture that values success based on the attainment of the comfortable life. We surround ourselves with exotic pillows, fine beds, soft chairs, fashionable clothing, pain medications, an abundance of food, state-of-the-art devices and entertainment galore. There is nothing wrong with possessions and comfort. Nevertheless, attachment to these comforts can be a source of stress.

Let us examine comfort with respect to some of the underlying elements that can cause stress.

• Delusion: We may think it is our given right to be comfortable, not realizing that discomfort is also part of reality. It is not realistic to live always in comfort and become intolerant to discomfort. Birth, aging, illness and death are aspects of life that are not comfortable in nature.
• Hate: Aversion to discomfort also is a cause of stress. When we experience discomfort, we may become angry. Anger is a major stressor.
• Greed: We may find that our endless pursuit of the comfortable life may result in tremendous financial and mental burdens. Difficult to satisfy the desire for comfort, we continue to seek more and more comforts. The result is more agitation and stress.

How can mindfulness meditation help us deal with the stress of a comfortable life? Meditation practice can help us regain an understanding of what truly is reality as well as gaining tolerance to discomfort, developing patience, and finding ways to change our attitude towards discomfort to eliminate stress. It is possible to feel discomfort yet be free from feeling stressed.

Obviously, at the primal level discomfort can be a biofeedback mechanism to indicate that something is wrong. Therefore, it is appropriate to seek a doctor’s advice to cure an illness that brings discomfort. However, it is possible to deal with the discomfort without causing stress.

It is easier to build acceptance and tolerance to discomfort when its intensity is light. During meditation practice, for example, sitting for a long period may become uncomfortable. This sitting can become a safe opportunity to analyze the mind’s relationship to sensation that is not comfortable. As we meditate, we can track the discomfort and the way it may disappear.

How can we build our tolerance to discomfort? By challenging ourselves to get out of our comfort zones in prudent ways. For example, once a week try sleeping on the floor instead of a bed or fasting for day. These practices will give you the opportunity to not react to an uncomfortable feeling right away. Instead, you can focus on analyzing the mind’s relationship to discomfort and see if a new perspective can be developed in a way that does not cause you stress. You can begin to feel grateful when experiencing a discomfort by knowing that the nerve system is functioning. Discomfort need not be not stressful.

How can mindfulness meditation help us deal with the stress of a comfortable life? Meditation practice can help us regain an understanding of what truly is reality as well as gaining tolerance to discomfort, developing patience, and finding ways to change our attitude towards discomfort to eliminate stress. It is possible to feel discomfort yet be free from feeling stressed.

Obviously, at the primal level discomfort can be a biofeedback mechanism to indicate that something is wrong. Therefore, it is appropriate to seek a doctor’s advice to cure an illness that brings discomfort. However, it is possible to deal with the discomfort without causing stress.

It is easier to build acceptance and tolerance to discomfort when its intensity is light. During meditation practice, for example, sitting for a long period may become uncomfortable. This sitting can become a safe opportunity to analyze the mind’s relationship to sensation that is not comfortable. As we meditate, we can track the discomfort and the way it may disappear.

How can we build our tolerance to discomfort? By challenging ourselves to get out of our comfort zones in prudent ways. For example, once a week try sleeping on the floor instead of a bed or fasting for day. These practices will give you the opportunity to not react to an uncomfortable feeling right away. Instead, you can focus on analyzing the mind’s relationship to discomfort and see if a new perspective can be developed in a way that does not cause you stress. You can begin to feel grateful when experiencing a discomfort by knowing that the nerve system is functioning. Discomfort need not be not stressful.

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