Honestly and Openly Addressing Our Emotional Struggles

There is a term in Tibetan, “nge jung,” that is often translated as “renunciation,” but which literally means “definite emergence.” While many Buddhist teachers and teachings speak of renouncing the flawed happiness of worldly life, the term nge jung has implications that add another psychological dimension to its meaning.

Definite emergence is the capacity to wake up and be willing to face our life and our habitual tendencies. It is the intention, either consciously chosen or instinctively driven, to become conscious. This movement towards consciousness has at its heart the recognition that the resolution of the struggles and suffering of our life is to face them. While we may be tempted to hide our fallibility and problems and deny or anesthetize our emotional struggles, they are resolved only when we genuinely address them honestly and openly. Anything else simply perpetuates a regressive sleep of ignorance. We may put a bandage over our pain and wounds, hoping they will go away, but at some point we will need to bring fresh air to them. In our lives it would seem that almost anything may be used as a means to avoid facing ourselves and anesthetizing our awareness. We may take refuge in our material desires, our sensory stimulation and entertainment, our work, relationships, and various intoxicating substances, including food.

Rob Preece
from The Wisdom of Imperfection; The Challenge of Individuation in Buddhist Life