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Pain Barrier…

This is a topic to which reams of paper and terabytes of storage space must have been already devoted. Probably the pain barrier would have been discussed, in a wide dispersion of paradigms [incl. medicine, sports, emotional growth, self evolution, societal moulding, organizational growth etc] and contexts. Even though there is nothing new to share, let me share it still. Well, hopefully from a fresh window [looking glass!!] – if not anything else.

The more I am fortunate to experience pain, the more I am enamoured of its self annihilating and life giving [re-generative] capacities. Experiencing pain and the expression ‘fortunate’ is a queer association - aint it? Well, what I mean by this – looking at pain [physical, emotional whatever] as it is in its intrinsic form and not the manifestation of pain [consciously or sub-consciously]. Sub-consciously every pain [physical / emotional] in its root is a fear of decimation.

Often times, the inability to look at it intrinsically and connecting just to the innate fear – only helps to reiterate and revalidate both the perceived cause and effect of the fear. That is the very reason perpetuate a certain set of pain, fears and concomitantly self imposed constraints ad infinitum. That is the crux.

They key is to get out of this cycle. A few times, especially while exercising, I could see the beauty of the pain – when seen as it is. In just the particular part which is causing it [where it is being caused] – a muscle, a bone or a nerve. Not letting it transmitted to the head or some other part of the body through our nervous system [arguably one of the most advanced systems of our body]. In such moments, one is able to rationalize – that this pain is mundane. It certainly doesn’t have ability to decimate. And there are thousands of examples of people having shouldered it successfully in the past. So sure I can do as well, probably better. This wee bit of rationalization or any other such personalized talking helps in de-fanging the pain.

Lo and behold!...Next time around, ‘chole gacche’….and next time around, one will have extended the frontier of ones pain. That extends one’s ability to take stress or rather not consider the same load as ‘stress’. Physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual – you name the dimension and the mechanics of self growth are exactly the same.

The Pain Boon. Take it or leave it.

August 11, 2010
Bhubaneshwar

Ps: Munni/Usha – as I wrote the stuff on instincts there were Fb comments, which I hadn’t responded to. I reaslise the same ques are relevant here too. The ans as I undertand is – such learning / internalisation has to be necessarily experiential. And as you would be aware, there are many simple [stepwise] techniques available to observe the self [Vipassana is certainly one of them.]. These are as easy or as tough and require less [not more] diligence that to pass well any degree/certificate exam. Not to mention the diligence/perseverance required to crack state level/national level exams.

Pps - Hope I didnt sound didactic..;)

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