Philosophy of Pain - A required mindset

Namaste,

The following applies not only to the impending Avian Flu pandemic, but any thing that is pain-related. This is practical philosophy one may apply to one's everyday life. Feel free to post your comments and your enriching additions.

The wise teachings our ancient sages say mass suffering is necessary for the purification of humanity's evils.

Life as a human is, one way or the other subject to pain and suffering. There is no human since the beginning of time or creation that can stand up boldly and declare that, since his birth to his death, he has not felt any kind of physical or psychological pain or stress.

If you view suffering and pain as such, a purifying experience, than nothing can ever scare you. In fact, you will delight in suffering whenever it presents itself thinking: "This suffering comes in order to purify me." Such thinking results in a mental poise and peace even through pain. You will acquire a new source of strength and endurance. This is for those with a philosophical inclination.

For those with a spiritual inclination and desire a spiritual effect to this practice, an analysis over pain such as: "This suffering, sent by God, comes in order to purify me and make me fit to be His instrument." Such thinking will inspire mercy, devotion and faith.

Just as raw gold has to be burnt and melted in the crucible several times before it becomes pure, so also the self has to experience various degrees of suffering before he/she becomes purified and vivified. He is now fit to become a true jewel amongst beings.

This philosophy of mental equipoise also applies in being undisturbed and unchanged by the pairs of opposites such as cold and heat, pain and pleasure, etc.

This way, you become fearless, cheerful, peaceful and blissful.

A word of caution: Do not apply this precious philosophy to your life in a sadistic or masochistic manner. Never think: "I will purify this person by inflicting pain to him/her." No. Nature alone inflicts pain in a balanced and harmonized way.

This is in no way the ideals of the masochists. Neither is it the philosophy of the pessimists. It is infact the philosophy of the optimists and realists. This is the definition of pain according to the dictionary:

An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder.

Now this is the definition of pessimism:

A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view

(Note: Who said pain was evil and pleasure was good? Only our bodies say so, but we are not the body because we say "My body, my mind, my breath, my... me... I..." Thus, pain is not evil or negative. Nothing is ultimately bad and ultimately good.)

Thus, seeing pain as leading to your highest good and purity, you can endure anything that life throws at you. You become like a lotus leaf on water. Face life with a true warrior's spirit.

Thy Own Self, Devamitra

Namaste,

Yes; however, please keep in mind that your physical body is limited to feel a certain amount of pain depending on your level of physical endurance.

Some are able to endure pain for a very long time without their bodies failing, this depends on each individual.

One should also respect his or her body remembering that it is their vehicle in the path.