Hi M.

It's so not easy to open the door and welcome suffering in. Yet I feel in my heart that it's the only way to transcend even the most horrendous karma and break through to the Light beyond. As you say, it's important to be conscious of what wants to unfold and unwind. Ideally, to continually empower ourselves in the moment of dis-empowerment. I don't always get it "right", but I am becoming more conscious of who I am being in the here and now and going from there. Exploring here with y'all on this forum helps big time.

Rumi's poem, The Guest House, comes to mind:

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Love,

C. ("see")