Tomorrow, I’ll publish D&TR’s debut Deep Dive, a narrative feature that goes in-depth about an unforgettable character from the intersection of sports, art, and culture. It will be about journalist Jay Glazer, a renowned NFL insider as well as trainer — and friend — to many of the most successful performers in sports and Hollywood.
One of the most moving sections of that story comes from a time in Glazer’s life when he felt more broken than he had ever felt, and he went looking for help he’d never had before.
Here you go:
He went to Kamalaya, a wellness resort located in Koh Samui, Thailand. It’s built around a storied cave which, according to legend, holds strong and mystical energy that deepens visitors’ connection to the universe. For centuries, Buddhist monks have inhabited the cave to further their spiritual practice.
“In other words,” Glazer says, “very much my shit.”
He entered the resort and made for the cave, where he met some monks. “First thing one of them says,” Glazer recalls, “is, ‘Man, you are in a lot of pain.’”
The monks instructed him to take a seat, and then they told him, “Sit with your pain.”
Glazer chuckled. “Man, I sit with my pain every day.”
“No,” a monk told him. “You experience your pain every day. We want you to really sit in your pain.”
“OK,” Glazer said. “How?”
A monk replied: “What did you call yourself growing up?”
“Jason,” Glazer said.
“Okay,” the monk said. “Sit in your pain, and hold little Jason’s hand. Show him compassion. He probably doesn’t feel like he’s ever had any. Go through that pain with him. Put your arm around him. Hug him. Just love him up. Let him know that it’s going to be okay.”
That’s it for now.
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