In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions are endless and discomfort is something we constantly avoid, many of us have developed an addiction—an addiction to escaping the present moment. Whether it’s through substance abuse, constant busyness, or even our thoughts like anxiety, guilt, anger, or a victim mindset, we use these habits to shield ourselves from what’s happening right now. However, while these habits provide temporary numbing, they prevent us from experiencing true healing.
True healing begins when we allow ourselves to be fully present, no matter how uncomfortable that might feel. It’s not about avoiding discomfort but about learning to sit with it and leaving it as it is rather than running away.
Meditation offers a powerful way to break free from this core addiction of avoiding the present. It encourages us to stay with whatever arises, no matter how intense or overwhelming it feels. Through sonomama (as-it-is) meditation, we reconnect with our true selves and create a loving, safe inner sanctuary. While addictions may provide temporary relief, they don’t allow for real healing. Healing happens when we fully embrace the present moment, just as it is, without trying to change or escape it.
What is Sonomama Meditation?
Sonomama meditation, meaning “as-it-is-ness” practice, is about leaving things exactly as they are. Unlike meditation practices focused on calming the mind or achieving specific states, sonomama encourages us to leave everything as it is that arises without judgment. By sitting with whatever comes up—discomfort, fear, or tension—we begin to heal by embracing our experience fully. This practice helps us create a loving and safe inner sanctuary where we can reconnect with our authentic selves, free from the distractions and addictions that pull us away from the present.
Whether it’s constantly reaching for your phone, playing games, sugar cravings, or excessive shopping, these behaviors might bring short-term comfort, but they ultimately distract us from what we need to heal. The more we avoid the present, the more we reinforce the habit of running away from discomfort. Through sonomama meditation, we witness the potential for transformation within the discomfort.
To be continued in Part 2…
In Part 2, we’ll explore how meditation becomes an adventure into the unknown and how sonomama can help us confront discomfort, break free from addictive patterns, and transform our lives.
Text and Image by K E I K O
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