How do we escape from pain?

[air]

Each of us human beings faces an unpleasant emotion called pain. Can we escape from pain? We go through physical pain, we go through emotional pain, sometimes intellectual pain.

We go through these physical, emotional and intellectual pains because we don’t have a spiritual evolution within us. The spiritual evolution makes us realize that we are not the body, and as long as we don’t realize that we are not the body, pain shall persist. Nobody can escape from pain. Ask those who have crossed a half century in years and they know the true meaning of pain. As children we don’t feel pain so much because we are indifferent towards pain, we are ignorant of pain because it doesn’t come to us so much, unless we are those few unfortunate ones who are born with pain or who grow up with pain. But otherwise, pain is unknown to the little ones growing up, though, as adults sometimes, we experience pain. The pain starts as we grow older; we experience financial pain as we grow in business or success pain, when we face failure. We face emotional pain, in love and relationships and we feel intellectual pain with people and circumstances.

Pain is the reality of the samsaar – this world because the whole idea of this world is for us to realize that we are not these physical bodies, but we are the spiritual bodies. Till we don’t realize that we are spiritual beings wearing this physical body, pain shall persist. The only way to escape from pain is to realize the truth: we are not this body and to move on towards that Liberation, Freedom called mukthi or Nirvana.

AiR

[sparklekaz]

Hi Air,

I think many people who are exploring their spiritual path have come across the belief that pain comes from attachment. Attachment to our social positions, our relationships, material possessions etc. But for many, knowing this on an intellectual level or in terms of viewing life from a higher perspective, does not help to ease the emotional pain or anxiety. The paradox in human suffering is, that the more we try to avoid emotional pain, the more we experience it. And are we right, to try to 'escape it'? Surely it would be better to 'face it' and move through it?

For me personally, the real source of help has come from understanding myself psychologically. From realizing why I react as I do. Understanding that the life I lead is as a result of of my own behaviour. But admitting responsibility for many is too painful, and so they live in denial. Never learning anything - doomed to keep on repeating a cycle of poor choices and negative consequences. One of my favourite books is 'The Road Less Traveled' by M Scott Peck. He says

"What makes life difficult, is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one. Problems, depending upon their nature, evoke in us frustration or grief or sadness or loneliness or guilt or regret or anger or fear or anguish or despair. These are uncomfortable feelings, very uncomfortable and often as painful as any physical pain, sometimes equaling the very worst kind of physical pain. It is because of this pain that the events or conflicts they engender inside us that we call them problems. Yet it is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning. Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom. It is because of our problems that we grow mentally and spiritually".

So though I agree with you Air, when you say "Pain is the reality of the samsaar – this world because the whole idea of this world is for us to realize that we are not these physical bodies, but we are the spiritual bodies. Till we don’t realize that we are spiritual beings wearing this physical body, pain shall persist. The only way to escape from pain is to realize the truth". I agree with what you say, but think it is an esoteric truth that as a concept is easy to understand, but as a way of living a physical life, hard to put into practice. Putting it simply, there are many levels of self realization and awareness. Understanding an esoteric truth to such a degree that it will help to evoke positive change is very difficult. For me personally, understanding the psychology of self, has been and still is, the best way to help bridge this gap.

Love and light
Kaz

[mojomojo]

I do believe for most, realising we are not the body on an intellectual level, does nothing to eradicate the pain and suffering of life, at best it can give us a sense of, in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter, but that is little comfort to one who is been hit hard.
If we do our internal work to remove what blockages we have, may help us, to not get so caught up in life's drama's, but again pain and suffering may persist.
We can only hope, that it is possible to reach a level, where we are in this world but not of it, where the personality plays its role, with the true self detached, I do believe it is in this state that pain and suffering is no more.
I might imagine some have had a glimpse of this, but then slipped out.
But how to get there, we are led to believe very few have, is it a step too far, even trying, seems doomed, as it in itself is desire.
Others say we can get there in an instant, that imagining we have to do something, or a journey to follow, instantly takes us away from it, that it is here now,
Is it a subtle change in consciousness.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Robert,

I think as Ace said in his reply on the 'when to let go post'; Its all about intention aligned with our higher self/purpose. And its natural to try and be pro-active in trying to find a way out of difficult or painful situation isn't it? Many do try to avoid it though, or stick their heads in the sand, hoping if they ignore it, it will 'just go away'. Being aligned with higher self I think means we are willing to face it, and work through it. But still to the degree of how deeply we are prepared to explore it, and how far we prepared to go to resolve it.

You said "Others say we can get there in an instant, that imagining we have to do something, or a journey to follow, instantly takes us away from it, that it is here now". On the surface it does seem to be a paradox. But if I think about change, and how it is inevitable, it's fluid an ongoing process. We cannot help but move. Whether it's forward or backwards, such is the way in which the current flows in the river. The current can be our higher self or our attachment to an outcome. So depending on where your at, will influence what sort of current your being carried along by. Or is the current our intention, and higher self, the natural flow? Hope that makes sense. I'm still thinking through it myself.

Love and light
Kaz

[baangus]

Pain is an aspect of the physical plane. I accept it for what it is, and focus instead on the light and love aspects of incarnation. Similar to my response to the Buddhist truth about all life being suffering: Not at all, in fact all life is a joyful, amazing miracle. The more I've learned to focus on the joy of life, the less pain I've experienced. Sounds like you're suggesting something similar with your "samsaar" comment. Also, for me this "physical body" is an important aspect of the joy I experience. Yes, our true home is spirit. But this body is very real as well, as was the choice I made to come here and experience this gift of physical incarnation.