In Part 1, we explored how the distractions of modern life often lead us to develop habits that help us escape discomfort but ultimately prevent true healing. If you haven’t yet read Part 1, I encourage you to start there to understand the foundation of this discussion on healing through sonomama meditation. Breaking Free from Escapism: Healing Through Sonomama Meditation (Part 1)
Now, in Part 2, we’ll delve deeper into 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.
Meditation: An Adventure into the Unknown
Meditation invites us to face whatever arises within, without resistance or distraction. Addiction often becomes a way to avoid the present moment—whether it’s through sugar cravings, phone use, excessive exercise, or anger. These habits offer temporary relief, but within that discomfort lies the potential for true transformation.
Through sonomama meditation, we learn to let these feelings be, without trying to control or push them away. This practice teaches us to leave things exactly as they are—without judgment or resistance. I call it “sitting as if we are spring water”—allowing emotions and sensations to flow naturally, like water flowing freely through a stream. By embracing what arises, we allow healing to unfold naturally as we return to the present moment. Instead of running from discomfort, we begin to find peace within it.
Healthy Habit or Addiction?
A key part of the healing journey is learning how to adapt to life’s inevitable changes while recognizing the difference between healthy habits and addictive patterns. Cultivating this awareness is essential for supporting our overall well-being. For example, reaching for your phone whenever you feel uncomfortable or immersing yourself in work to avoid emotions are common patterns of avoidance.
Meditation helps us recognize these patterns more clearly. By becoming aware of when we’re using behaviors to avoid discomfort, we can make conscious choices to stay present rather than numbing ourselves. This awareness helps us break free from the cycle of avoidance and develop healthier habits that nurture our growth.
Moving Forward with Presence
Breaking free from addiction—whether it’s related to physical substances, emotional avoidance, or habitual behaviors—requires patience, awareness, and a willingness to stay with whatever arises in the present moment. Through sonomama meditation, we realize that the discomfort we’ve been avoiding holds the potential for healing and transformation.
When we stop running from discomfort and start embracing life as it is, we open the door to authentic peace and healing. This journey isn’t about reaching a specific destination but about being present with ourselves, moment by moment.
As you move forward, I invite you to integrate sonomama meditation into your daily life. The next time discomfort arises, sit with it as you would with a trusted friend—without judgment, without resistance—and see what unfolds. By doing so, we can continue to confront discomfort, break free from addictive patterns, and move forward with greater authenticity and compassion for ourselves.
Harvest Moon
Photography by YUMIKO, Keiko’s mother
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