--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are several different kinds of…" description: "\"There are several different kinds of painful feelings that we might experience, and learning to distinguish and relate to these feelings of discomfort ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/jack-kornfield-936_different_there-are-several-different-kinds-of-pai_2240521.png" --- # There are several different kinds of painful feelings that… ![“There are several different kinds of painful feelings that we might experience, and learning to distinguish and relate to these feelings of discomfort or pain is an important part of meditation practice, because it is one of the very first things that we open to as our practice develops.” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/jack-kornfield-936_different_there-are-several-different-kinds-of-pai_2240521.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/jack-kornfield-936_different_there-are-several-different-kinds-of-pai_2240521.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/jack-kornfield-936_different_there-are-several-different-kinds-of-pai_2240521.png) > “There are several different kinds of painful feelings that we might experience, and learning to distinguish and relate to these feelings of discomfort or pain is an important part of meditation practice, because it is one of the very first things that we open to as our practice develops.” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Meditation involves recognizing and relating to various painful feelings as a foundational practice. **In simple terms:** Meditation teaches you to notice and work with discomfort. Key Takeaway Observe pain without judgment to deepen practice. Themes mindfulness pain self-awareness growth compassion Mood reflective calm Type spiritual educational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - mindful walking - stressful events - personal reflection Key Concepts Buddhist psychology emotional intelligence acceptance Questions to Reflect On - What uncomfortable feeling have you ignored? - How can you gently engage with it? A Different Perspective Focusing on pain can be overwhelming without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discomfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discomfort/) [Experience and learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-and-learning/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [First things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-things/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Meditation practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation-practice/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Painful feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful-feelings/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) ## Related quotes > [“It’s important that meditation is not seen as something that only happens when you are seated in a quiet place. Otherwise spirituality and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/it-s-important-that-meditation-is-not-seen-as-something-that-only/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [Since inner peace is the source of all happiness, we can see how important meditation is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geshe-kelsang-gyatso/since-inner-peace-is-the-source-of-all-happiness-we-can-see-how/) [Geshe Kelsang Gyatso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geshe-kelsang-gyatso/) > [Meditation in action is endlessly more important than meditation in stillness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakuin-ekaku/meditation-in-action-is-endlessly-more-important-than-meditation-in/) [Hakuin Ekaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakuin-ekaku/) > [What is important in meditation is the quality of the mind and the heart.It is not what you achieve, or what you say you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/what-is-important-in-meditation-is-the-quality-of-the-mind-and-the/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [It was not the beautiful or pleasant feelings that gave me new insight, but the ones against which I fought most strongly: feelings that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/it-was-not-the-beautiful-or-pleasant-feelings-that-gave-me-new/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [We tremble at the feelings we experience as our sense of wholeness is reorganized by what we see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-gowin/we-tremble-at-the-feelings-we-experience-as-our-sense-of-wholeness-is/) [Emmet Gowin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-gowin/) > [Perhaps the feelings that we experience when we are in love represent a normal state. 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A good meditation practice is any one that develops awareness or mindfulness of our body and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/there-are-many-good-forms-of-meditation-practice-a-good-meditation/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Meditation practice is neither holding on nor avoiding; it is a settling back into the moment, opening to what is there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/meditation-practice-is-neither-holding-on-nor-avoiding-it-is-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Self harm is not the anwere, all u have to do is love urself. It may help u to express ur feelings tht u…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushant-mehra/self-harm-is-not-the-anwere-all-u-have-to-do-is-love-urself-it-may/) Sushant Mehra > [Mindfulness is being aware of yourself, others, and your surroundings in the moment. When consciously and kindly focusing awareness on life as it unfolds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/mindfulness-is-being-aware-of-yourself-others-and-your-surroundings/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. 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