In "Mindfulness in Plain English," Henepola Gunaratana emphasizes the importance of fully accepting our uncomfortable emotions, such as depression, agitation, and frustration. He suggests that to understand these feelings, we must first acknowledge their existence rather than dismissing them. Rejecting our emotional states prevents us from truly examining and understanding what we are experiencing.

By accepting our emotions, we create the opportunity for deeper self-awareness and insight. Gunaratana argues that only through this acceptance can we begin to explore the underlying causes and meanings of our feelings, ultimately leading to greater emotional clarity and well-being.