The Gap Between Trigger and Reaction
I have tried any kind of mind training and meditation technique. I avoided struggle, disappointment, and suffering without even recognizing that approach was leading me away from my self-growth. I believed I was doing good.
A spiritual friend told me years ago “Sasy face the dragon. That is the only way to reach the treasure within”. “Facing the dragon” implies courage and a willingness to confront our inner obstacles rather than running away from them. It involves acknowledging and accepting these difficult aspects of ourselves. It is indeed a process of self-discovery and personal growth.
This is also linked to the practice of creating mental space through mindfulness, meditation, or other contemplative practices. It involves detaching from our thoughts and emotions and observing them without judgment. This “space” allows us to gain perspective and clarity.
And I learned to nurture the in-between space, the gap between all the external and internal triggers. That middle ground is the realm of ambiguity, instability, and receptiveness that surfaces during periods of shift, hardship, or unease. It is a transitional zone where change is achievable, provided we become skilled at dwelling within our unease rather than acting rashly.
I learned to promote awareness and attentiveness during difficult times. Resisting the impulse to react, allowed me to generate an opening for insight and empathy. Instead of grasping for security or rejecting unease, I trained to maintain openness to unpredictability, perceiving it as a site for development.
The gap is not merely the period between passing events and emotions and feelings. It is instead a moment where we possess the opportunity for awakening. It highlights the importance of inner work in achieving personal transformation.
Stay in the gap.
Sasy