An inability to be present with negative emotion is the root of suffering; pain, discomfort and negative emotional states are a given in life, yet so many refuse to accept this and perpetuate their own suffering as a result by endlessly fighting against experiencing those emotional states. The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Trying to avoid negative emotional states is INSANITY! It's like going to war against a part of your own body; it will only lead to more pain, suffering and deeper emotional turmoil; which is where the anxiety, depression and addiction epidemics stem from; people trying to escape their negative emotions, to no avail.
If you knew there was no avoiding or escaping negative emotions (there isn't), how would you engage with them?
Knew a heroin addict who went on methadone to kick it. Then he discovered he was addicted to methadone and had to go cold turkey to kick it. He told me it was all about feeling the negative hurtful feelings and getting through them in order to heal. It was hard, excruciating but he made it through and found a wonderful wife, worked in drug counseling to help others. He said blunting and masking the bad feelings was the true cause of suffering.