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Pain vs. the Idea of Pain
The mind, being everywhere, is non-local, and through the process of attention we localize it. So if we want something to become our life experience, we put our attention on it. If we don’t want something to become our life experience, we take our attention away from it. In fact, the whole mechanics of creation is just that: a certain quality of attention of the self to itself.
Whatever you put your attention on grows stronger in your life. When people experience pain, they try to avoid it or they want to escape from it. And the more they try to do that, the more their attention is on the idea of pain. The idea of pain gets magnified, and of course that creates more pain.
So if you have a headache and you want to get rid of it, then simply be with the headache; be with the pain. Don’t analyze, don’t interpret, and don’t try to judge the pain. Feel the sensation with your full awareness. Put your attention on the sensation, and you’ll see that it dissipates.
Pure consciousness is a healing force, so when you put your attention on the sensation, consciousness gets into it and saturates it with the healing force of life. If, however, you put your attention on the idea of pain, then the pain will become more pronounced.
Adapted from Power, Freedom and Grace by Deepak Chopra (Amber-Allen Publishing Inc., 2006).
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14 comments
add your comment »Lindsey O'Connor says
"I have two conditions for which I have chosen to avoid surgery (TMJ disorder and my bulging disk at L5-S1). In both cases my doctors said that surgery could be performed; however, they also described the possibility that both conditions would be made worse by the surgery."
It depends on what problems the bulging disc are causing and the type of surgery that you do have fix the disc. Now they even have "fake discs" they can used to replace the bad one.
I had a bulging disc at L4-5 that was fixed with a discectomy. It did a great job of relieving the sciatic pain in my legs. Unfortunately for me, my doctor sucked and the surgery actually aggravated some genetic spine issues I had causing all kinds of fun. But my story is the 1/1000 bad outcomes from the surgery.
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Listening to the body is really the key. I noticed years ago that taking medicine really deadened my senses so now I am very careful about taking medicines. The instant quick fix is all too easy and for the most part just curing the symtoms and not the cause of the illness. But like everything, it is a learning process a stepping stone through life.
Thankfully to Deepaks deep insights and inspirations we are constantly reminded that there is more to life than meets the eye.
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I completely agree, Mary, about surgery not always being desirable in a given case. I have two conditions for which I have chosen to avoid surgery (TMJ disorder and my bulging disk at L5-S1). In both cases my doctors said that surgery could be performed; however, they also described the possibility that both conditions would be made worse by the surgery. Which I am unwilling to risk. So, I just treat the symptoms and try and live with them both.
In other cases, surgery has worked outstandingly for me (gallstones and hysterectomy). In both those cases it instantly eliminated the problem (which, in both cases, was hopelessly painful.)
I think you're right that all things should be considered since each case is different.
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Sure Lindsey whatever works for you. You know your own body best. I was just thinking of my own experience. If I was to do what the doctors wanted me to do in 2001, I would surley not be around to write this post today :-). I have chosen "my way" instead of surgery for a disorder in my neck vertebrea and it is working very well. Through lots of different holistic therapies, I have learned more about my body and my true self and in general the whole mind body spirit experienc . Simply eliminating the problem and as a concequence swallowing tablets would have never done for me. Doctors/Professors are begining to see that the body is not just a machine to be switched off and on and therefore seeing that alternative methods maybe a better way. Most op's must be repeated after some years even months and the body has to go through the same torture each time. When I choose not to have that op, I was choosing death but in actuall fact I was choosing life and life has never been so fulfilling as it has been since then.
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Certainly, Mary - pain is first and foremost a diagnostic tool. However, once the diagnosis has been made it then needs to be eliminated. Completely. As quickly as possible.
When I experience one of my bouts of back pain, I can instantly diagnose my problem. I've had it for over 10 years. I don't need to go to my internist or my orthopedist because the diagnosis has already been made.
Therefore, I run to the medicine cabinet and take a Vicodin. To stop the pain and keep it from turning me into a physical wreck (unfortunately exercise and other non-drug treatments only help to a certain point).
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I think it is all pain, as the mind is in control at the time of meditation also,. So I feel that either way emotional pain and physical can be helped through the mind as well as the body too.
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For pains and aches that come and go, it is fine to be with the pain and a lot can be learned. As it is a signal of imbalance some where in the body, it may need to be attended to not that it becomes a chronic condition later on. There is usually something else behind the pain so if you dont find it yourself in being with the pain, it may be advisable to seek consultation with a good homeopath or whatever method you find good for you if you want to find out the real reason for the pain.
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When I was young, I had terrible migrains (stress induced no doubt). At 10 a therapist taught me my first meditation technique to relieve the symptom.
*Sit comfortably in a dim, quiet room.
*Focus in on breathing making it smooth and steady (in and out through the nose)
* Close the eyes and imagine your pain manifested as a shape, color, and texture. [I always imagined mine as a rough, red, triangle].
*Visualize the pain slowly moving away, becoming smaller, lighter, and with the texture less pronounced.
*Continue slowly imagining this until the shape is just a dot on the horrizon and then slowly breath it out of sight and mind.
This worked for me and introduced me to a whole new path which has lead me to becoming a yoga treacher and majoring in holisitic health (along with psychology) in college. Maybe someone will read this and try the technique, I hope it helps :)
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When I get headaches generally they'll stay w/me for days if I dont take anything. Its due to my allergies. So I give in & take something.
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Does include emotions as well as psychical
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