All of our misery.

All suffering.

All resistance.

It’s in the Hurt Layer.

The cunning creator of Lack, Loss, and Lies.

The Master of Suffering.

It’s the analyzing, judging, comparing voice that creates all the agony, the distress, the anxiety, and depression.

Without that commanding commentary, there’s just what is.

Pain.

Frustration.

Sadness.

Anger.

Pleasure.

Sensations that come and go, uninvited, but harmless.

Not a big deal.

But then there’s the Hurt Layer, dominating in the background.

It won’t let go.

It claims, explains, and predicts.

‘This shouldn’t happen right now.’

‘What if this never ends?’

‘You should have done something differently.’

‘Why me?’

‘They weren’t supposed to treat me like this.’

‘Why now?’

‘This will not end well.’

‘This is just too good to be true.’

‘It’s not enough.’

‘It’s way too much.’

‘Why doesn’t it stop?’

‘Yeah, let’s worry some more!’

‘When will it happen?’

The Hurt Layer is a distrusting, cynical storyteller.

Always waiting for things to go wrong.

Always telling you to be careful.

Always holding you back.

It doesn’t let go.

It can’t.

But you can.

—

(Photo by @allecgomes, for Unsplash)