In the book "Mindfulness in Plain English," author Henepola Gunaratana addresses the importance of acknowledging and accepting one's emotions. He emphasizes that if a person feels miserable, it is essential to confront that feeling rather than deny or suppress it. Accepting misery as a reality allows for a deeper understanding of oneself and is a crucial step toward emotional healing and growth.

The acknowledgment of one's emotional state is central to mindfulness practice. By directly confronting feelings of misery, individuals can begin to explore the source of their pain and work through it. This honest recognition serves as a foundation for developing greater awareness and compassion towards oneself, leading to a more balanced state of being.