By Stephanie Bucklin
Buddha taught us, “All of life is suffering.” At first glance, this might seem disheartening, but it’s far from a statement of despair. It is a compassionate observation that points to the root of our struggles: resistance. Resistance to change. Resistance to pain. Resistance to what we don’t want to experience. My own journey has led me to understand that true healing begins when we stop resisting and open ourselves to the wisdom life is offering us.
For weeks now, life has been hammering this truth into my soul. The patterns of my past traumas, the echoes of my inner child’s cries, and the shadows I once avoided all beckon for my attention. I’ve come to see these challenges not as punishment but as invitations for growth. Shadow work and inner child healing, often spoken of in therapy, align closely with the spiritual wisdom I’ve found in my Buddhist training and my practice of yoga. Both paths encourage us to face what is, to sit with our suffering, and to release the grip of resistance that binds us to it.
The Dance of Resistance and Attraction
What we resist, persists. This simple truth has unraveled countless knots in my heart. Resistance doesn’t repel what we fear; it strengthens its presence. My emotional traumas, the pain I once thought was inflicted upon me, were, in part, energies I had unknowingly attracted through my resistance. When I refused to look at my pain, it grew louder. When I clung to my idea of how life should be, life pushed back harder.
Just yesterday, I sat in meditation, and clarity revealed itself. I saw my resistance not as an enemy, but as a teacher. This shift in perspective was transformative. I realized that resistance itself is suffering—a refusal to accept the moment as it is. When we embrace what is, even the painful parts, we create space for healing and growth.
“In those moments of challenge, we can recognize the gift of the trigger, and where it is showing us that we are not free.”
— Rebecca Dawn, The VIBE Mentor
From Her YouTube Video: Stop Contracting, Start Expanding! Change Your Reality Instantly!
The Path of Mindful Healing
In my Buddhist training, the Noble Eightfold Path serves as a guiding light for overcoming suffering and finding liberation. Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration—these practices are more than moral guidelines; they are tools for inner transformation.
Mindfulness, in particular, has been my anchor. Through meditation and journaling, I observe my thoughts and emotions without judgment. I practice Pranayama, the yogic art of breath control, to calm my nervous system and create harmony between my body and mind. On days when chronic pain feels overwhelming, yoga and gentle movement remind me of the resilience within. These practices are not about escaping suffering but meeting it with grace and gratitude.
Ashtanga Yoga: A Path to Release
As a yogi, I often turn to the wisdom of Patanjali’s Eightlimb Path, which mirrors much of the Buddhist Eightfold Path. The yamas (ethical restraints) and niyamas (observances) encourage me to live with integrity and self-discipline. Asana (physical postures) and Pranayama connect me to my body and breath, while pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and dharana (concentration) deepen my inward focus. These practices guide me toward dhyana (meditation) and, ultimately, samadhi (liberation).
Ashtanga Yoga, with its disciplined and flowing sequence, teaches me to move with intention and awareness. It reminds me that resistance can manifest physically as tension and stiffness, just as it does emotionally. With each breath and posture, I learn to release the resistance held in my body, creating a pathway for healing on all levels.
Healing for the Collective
This journey of self-healing is not just for me. It ripples out to my family, friends, clients, and the world. By sharing my vulnerability and insights, I hope to be a mirror for others. Healing is not insurmountable; it is a choice to press into the discomfort and allow life to teach us.
Buddha’s wisdom and the teachings of yoga converge on one truth: acceptance is the key to freedom. When we release resistance, we step into a higher consciousness where suffering transforms into growth. Acceptance does not mean passive resignation—it is an active embrace of life as it is, with grace and gratitude.
As I continue on this path, I invite you to reflect on your own journey. Where are you resisting? What truths are calling for your attention? Let’s walk this path together, healing ourselves for the collective good and awakening to the magic of life’s unfolding.
With love and light,
Stephanie
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