The second arrow - Mindfulness Meditation
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The second arrow - Mindfulness Meditation
Buddha says we cannot get rid of the First arrow, but we can control what we do with our second arrow. Our Second arrow is the response to the pain of the first arrow and in most cases, it is plain “RESISTANCE” to this pain.
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The Buddha referred to this skill of disengaging from reactivity as “removing the second arrow.” Some measure of pain and stress is unavoidable in the life cycle (the first arrow), yet our reactivity towards “life as it is” creates a layer of self-imposed suffering that only compounds ordinary challenges.
Emily J. Wolf • Advances in Contemplative Psychotherapy: Accelerating Healing and Transformation
The second arrow, fired by our own selves, is our reaction, our storyline, and our anxiety.
Thich Nhat Hanh • No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering
The second arrow may take the form of judgment (“how could I have been so stupid?”), fear (“what if the pain doesn’t go away?”), or anger (“I hate that I’m in pain. I don’t deserve this!”).
Thich Nhat Hanh • No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering
Every life has its trials and tribulations. We can navigate them more skillfully when we don’t waste time and energy shooting ourselves with a second arrow—such as dwelling on how much greener the grass in our neighbor’s yard looks, compared to ours.