The second noble truth says that this resistance is the...mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering.

No one ever tells us to stop running away from fear...the advice we usually get is to sweeten it up, smooth it over, take a pill, or distract ourselves, but by all means make it go away. (5)

Most of us do not take these situations as teachings. We automatically hate them. We run like crazy. We use all kinds of ways to escape - all addictions stem from this moment when we meet our edge and we just can't stand it. We feel we have to soften it, pad it with something, and we become addicted to whatever it is that seems to ease the pain.

The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.

The second noble truth says that this resistance is the...mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering.

Maybe the most important teaching is to lighten up and relax. It's such a huge help in working with our crazy mixed-up minds to remember that what we're doing is unlocking a softness that is in us and letting it spread. We're letting it blur the sharp corners of self-criticism and complaint.

This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted and shaky - that's called liberation.