Grief is one of the most profound and universal human experiences. It touches us not only in moments of deep loss – like the death of a loved one—but also in the subtle endings and disappointments woven through daily life. Whether in our relationships, changes in the world around us, or our own sense of impermanence, grief is never far away.
Grief can be both physically and emotionally painful. When we lack the skills to process grief, we may turn away from it—suppressing, distracting ourselves, or closing off this part of our emotional life. This is understandable; why face something that feels overwhelming? Yet, grief is also a task: How can we learn to handle the depth of our emotions without feeling overwhelmed?
What makes grief especially challenging is that it rarely comes alone. It is often mixed with other dynamics like sorrow, longing, regret, or resistance. The pain becomes entangled with the stories we tell ourselves—about what grief means, who we are because of it, or how the world has let us down.
From a Buddhist perspective, grief is sometimes misunderstood as mere attachment. But grief arises because something that mattered to us is no longer as it was—or because we anticipate losing something dear or important. This is not a mistake; it is a form of waking up to the reality of change, which naturally stirs an emotional response.
At its core, grief is a natural reaction to change, uncertainty, and lack of control—all aspects of what the Buddha called dukkha, which he encouraged us to explore and understand.
Walking through grief means finding a middle way. We neither suppress nor avoid it, but we also do not let it drown or define us. Sometimes, it is wise to step back, ground ourselves, and care for our aching hearts before turning toward our pain again.
We can practice grieving in small, everyday moments: when things don’t go as hoped, when a meeting disappoints, or as the seasons change and we miss the warmth of the sun.
Each moment offers an opportunity to tend to this heart which sighs and says, “I wish it could be another way.”
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