Are you second arrowing it?

The Second Arrow: Buddhist Teaching on Pain and Suffering

This week, we’ve been pondering:

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Dalai Lama

There’s a Buddhist parable known as the ‘second arrow. ’

Have you heard it before?

Imagine an arrow striking a person, then moments later, another arrow pierces right in the same spot. Relentlessly, more arrows strike, creating more pain.

The first arrow represents a terrible incident that happens to a person; the following arrows are the story we tell ourselves about the incident. Repetition only creates more pain, limiting space in our minds for joy.

A few years ago, I was betrayed by someone I loved. Whenever I played the story in my head, I’d ask myself, "Are you second-arrowing it, Em?" I knew I was only creating more pain for myself.

I'm sharing this in case it comes in handy for you one day. xxx

Big love, Em x