Reiki Master Patricia Gould giving a Reiki treatment
Patricia Gould—Reiki Master
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” –Haruki Murakami
Despite many difficulties, we must remind ourselves that, “This too shall pass that all things, relationships, and situations are in constant change. The pain of loss will also come to an end at some point. With all these changes, life creates new opportunities, experiences, and relationships.
What Causes Suffering?
Change in itself does not cause suffering but, rather, the notion of attachment and aversion (fixation) toward an outcome. Our expectations of how things should be versus how things are creates suffering. “Pain + non-acceptance = suffering.”
Learning to accept change and embrace impermanence allows us to flow freely with life.
Radical acceptance—a skill from Dialectical Behavior Therapy—teaches us simply to accept and acknowledge our reality. The saying, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional,” holds true for all of us. Once we accept, we can channel our energy and focus on coping and healing from the pain.
Pain will still be present, but it will not be unbearable.
The true essence of radical acceptance is not merely just saying, “I accept” something but, rather, one must embrace and embody the belief. To exercise radical acceptance, one must:
• Accept our reality, ourselves, and our life the way it is and not for what we want them to be
• Minimize attachment and aversion toward outcomes and ideas—manage our expectations
• Realize and accept what is and isn’t within our control
• Live life without judgment
• Be in the present moment and practice mindfulness
Seeking Help
Radical acceptance takes time to understand and practice. If you are someone who is having trouble applying this skill, or someone who is going through a major life transition and/or struggling with mental health concerns, please reach out for help from a mental health professional.
It is a sign of strength, not weakness, when we admit that we are stuck and suffering. Everyone—including yourself—deserves to live a meaningful life.
Save the Date:
There will be no program in the ballroom in July, but save the date for our program on Friday, Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. Barbara Barr Bengen is having knee replacement surgery in July and will not be holding small group classes for a while. Patti Gould is still holding small group classes!
Meditation (complimentary)
Fridays in the Agate Room of the Arts & Crafts Center
8:30 a.m.: Introduction (new attendees)
9 a.m.: Meditation
New attendees register at [email protected].
First Degree Reiki
An introduction to Reiki, the history, and working with this energy.
Friday and Saturday, July 14-15, at the home of Patti Gould
For more information or to register, email [email protected].
Reiki Second Degree
Learn next steps in the history and fundamentals of this healing energy.
Friday and Saturday, July 21-22, at the home of Patti Gould.
For more information or to register, email [email protected].
To learn more about Wellness Integrated Network (WIN) classes and to get the latest updates by email, contact [email protected] to get on our email distribution list. You can also contact Barbara Barr or Patti Gould at [email protected] or call 520-339-7400.