It occurred to me this morning, as I was running through the woods by the river, that it’s impossible to run away from the stuff that’s going on inside your own head.

It might be possible to forget it for a while or put it inside a box. And then place that box inside another one, and so on. But eventually they will reappear, those incessant thoughts. Loud, bullying, painful even.

Instead, it’s best to face them head on. Not in a confrontational way but with gentle awareness. Sitting with those demons. Learning from them.

After all, once you get to know them, they aren’t demons after all, but teachers from inner space. Ignore them at your peril. They are the teacher and you are the pupil, and together you form the learning.

Sit quietly and repeat three times:

May I be

Gentle, kind and compassionate

To myself

And to all other sentient beings

It’s not going to be easy, but like most worthwhile things, it’ll be worth it in the end.