Frank Ostaseski, founder of the Metta Institute for end-of-life care, once offered that one of our most fundamental practices is learning to push nothing away.

“It’s a willingness to be here,” he says. “Not to turn away from the mysterious and the unanswerable.”

And though, it may seem a rather simple task – trust, it is one of our most difficult yet.

Sure, it’s easy to welcome the joy of a bright, sunny day – the crisp morning breeze, children playing, and leaves rustling their whispers into the wind.

But, what happens when life takes and unexpected twist? When the traffic is snarled, and we’re late to a meeting – and, we’ve just spilled coffee on our brand new dress?

“Push nothing away” implies a fearless receptivity. A willingness to embrace all which is offered – unconditionally, and without regret.

In doing so, we can finally begin to live – without those subtle distortions of reality, and engaging the better part of our being.

And yet, the tendency to run away is within all of us – an inherent fear caused by our unwillingness to face the seeds of our own suffering. We’re afraid to see what might truly be there – overwhelmed by this aspect of not knowing.

But, what we often fail to realize is that – getting in touch with our suffering helps our compassion to grow.

And, doesn’t that make it all worthwhile?

“This being human is a guest house,
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.” – Rumi

Indeed, that we might learn to ‘welcome them all’ – and, in time, realize the beauty of that glorious ‘gift within.’